India versus SA, a beauty contest
Harbhajan Singh indulges in a selfie at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on the eve of the first T20 against South Africa. (Source: PTI )
Besides fighting for the cricketing bragging rights, South Africa and India are also involved in an unofficial tussle over which country is home to the prettiest ground. Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma concede it it Dharamshala.The Saffers think otherwise, though the first thing they did after arriving at the venue was to have their pictures clicked with the picturesque Dhauladar ranges in the background.
Later, AB de Villers tweeted a picture of the ground, saying while Newlands (in Cape Town with the table mountain at the backdrop) tops the list, Dharamshala isn’t far behind. Faf du Plessis was more diplomatic. “I have been here a few times, and you are in awe of the beauty of the ground. With the mountains at the back, it can be compared to the Newlands. (On that debate) I would say this is the best T20 ground, while Newlands is the best Test venue,” he adds.
India captain MS Dhoni reckons the venue, with the mountains in the background and the half snow covered peaks, has a certain x-factor to it.”Of course, this is one of the best venues to play in. The background and the facilities give it a X-factor. To top it all, the facilities here are very good.”
The Indian captain also called for the need to have camps here ahead of important overseas tours, because apart from the facilities, the wickets here generally have a bit more pace and bounce. “It is a good place to have camps, especially before our tours abroad…this is because the wickets here have a bit more pace and bounce. Apart from that, this venue is special because it is secluded and is free of distraction. You stay at the pavilion, train at the gym or practice at the nets, and you can just be yourself,” he adds.
Seeing the facilities on offer here in Dharamsala, Team India director Ravi Shastri says that he felt like putting his pads on and spending some time at the nets. “It’s like when I went to nets today and Sanjay Bangar was standing there..I said, Yaar mood ho raha hain pads dalne ka. You feel like putting your pads on, getting your bat and facing some fast bowlers..and I felt like that after a long time…that’s how good the conditions are.”
Shastri added the venue replete with world-class facilities would be an ideal training ground for Indian senior team and the junior teams who are looking to hone their skills. “Everytime a team tours overseas, they must spend some time here. It will do them a world of good. Apart from the high altitude, it’s the facilities here that are outstanding. Not just the senior team, but even the junior teams should spend some time during winter. Yes, Bangalore is the base for the academy, but a stint here during the winter months can do a world of difference to the young players coming through the ranks.”
