In a historic moment for the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, the venue gears up to host its maiden IPL encounter, with the clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals marking its debut.
Replacing the Mohali stadium, the new venue prompts careful consideration from stats observers and team analysts when it comes to pitch conditions. After winning the toss for Punjab Kings, skipper Dhawan expressed, “We are going to field first. It’s a new pitch, so we’ll need to come up with new strategies. We’ve made some changes and are getting accustomed to this ground after our practice match. Let’s hope for some luck on this new venue.”
Reflecting on the decision, Rishabh Pant, returning to the cricketing field after a substantial hiatus, remarked, “We would have batted first. The wicket seems a bit slower. It’s an emotional moment for me, just looking to enjoy the occasion without overthinking. Not dwelling on the past season; it’s an exciting time. We’ve been preparing well, with Marsh, Warner, Stubbs joining as overseas batters.”
