The Rohit Sharma-led side has arrived in Mohali to commence the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan. This series is crucial from the team India perspective as it is their final T20I series before the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are making a comeback to the shortest format after a year-long hiatus. As we approach the 1st T20 match between India and Afghanistan, let’s have a look at the pitch report for the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Also, you can find the scorecard of last T20 played at Mohali Cricket Stadium’s and T20 records of the venue below in this space.
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali is set to host its first T20I match since September 2022. In the IPL 2023 season, the venue hosted five home games for the Punjab Kings. The Indian cricket team has previously played four T20Is at this venue, winning three of them. On the other hand, Afghanistan will make its first-ever outing at the Mohali Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The series will mark the first-ever bilateral T20I series between India and Afghanistan. Previously, they had met in the T20I format in five matches in multi-nation tournaments, with the most recent encounter being in the Asian Games 2023 final. Afghanistan is yet to secure a victory against the men in blue in any format.
Mohali Cricket Stadium T20 Records (Before IND vs AFG 1st T20)
The PCA Stadium in Mohali has hosted six T20I matches to date. With an average first innings total of 183, the venue has been known for high-scoring encounters.
- Matches Played: 6
- Won by the team batting first: 2
- Won by the team batting second: 4
- Matches Tied: 0
- Biggest score while batting first: India – 208/6 (20) vs Australia, 2022
- Lowest score while batting first: South Africa – 149/5 (20) vs India, 2019
- Biggest total chased: Australia chased 208 vs India, 2022
- Lowest Score Defended: New Zealand defended 180 vs Pakistan, 2016
- PCA Mohali Cricket Stadium average 1st innings score in men’s T20I: 183
- PCA Mohali Cricket Stadium average 2nd innings score in men’s T20I: 177
- Best figures for a Pacer: James Faulkner (AUS) – 5/27 vs PAK, 2016
- Best figures for a Spinner: Axar Patel (IND) – 3/17 vs AUS, 2022
- Highest score by a Batter: Virat Kohli (IND) – 82*(78) vs AUS, 2016
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium Mohali Pitch Report for IND vs AFG 1st T20
The pitch at PCA Stadium is considered a paradise for batters. In the most recent T20I match at the venue, Australia successfully chased a 208-run total against India. Typically, Mohali features a slow pitch where batting becomes easier as the match progresses.
Considering that the Mohali pitch heavily favors the chasing side, opting to bowl first can be considered a wise decision. Conversely, teams batting first aim to surpass the 180-run mark, as a score below this can be challenging to defend. The dew factor is one of the reasons why chasing becomes easier here.
Mohali Stadium Last T20 Match Scorecard
Mohali witnessed five IPL games in 2023, but the most recent international T20 at the venue was played in September 2022 between India and Australia. Despite conceding 208 runs, Australia managed to chase the mammoth target with 4 balls left to spare.
| India: 208-6 (20) | Australia: 211-6 (19.2) |
| Hardik Pandya: 71*(30) | Cameron Green: 61(30) |
| KL Rahul: 55(35) | Matthew Wade: 45*(21) |
| Suryakumar Yadav: 46(25) | Steven Smith: 35(24) |
| Nathan Ellis: 4 – 0 – 30 – 3 | Axar Patel: 4 – 0 – 17 – 3 |
| Josh Hazlewood: 4 – 0 – 39 – 2 | Umesh Yadav: 2 – 0 – 27 – 2 |
| Cameron Green: 3 – 0 – 46 – 1 | Yuzvendra Chahal: 3.2 – 0 – 42 – 1 |
| Match Result: Australia won by 4 Wickets |