Top 7 Indian cricket outfields where the ball races away to the fence
“……And the ball races away past the fielder, into the fence like a tracer bullet”. Imagine Ravi Shastri exclaiming at the top of his voice. That’s not a line you haven’t heard before, but it doesn’t fail to pump you up every single time, does it?
In the making of an exciting game of cricket, the expanse of green around the square is as crucial as the 22-yard strip at the centre.
If a flat track offering little help to the bowlers is a recipe for high scoring, then a good quality outfield must be the cherry on the cake. Short boundaries and fast outfields in which the ball scorches across the turf provide great value for stroke making and throw up those run feasts that fans in India love to watch. Thus, most grounds in India roll out the ‘green carpet’ welcome for the batsmen. A well-timed shot hit past the fielder, who goes chasing behind it, and the ball pulling further away from him all the while is a common sight on these green carpets.
On slower outfields, the ball could have lost momentum in travel and the fielder covering ground in time may have limited the batsmen to the ones, twos and threes. But on faster turfs, these shots cross the boundary more often than not. The thickness of the grass and the dryness of the surface contribute to the quality of a cricket field. Trimmed grass and dry surface aid fast movement, whereas on lush outfields and where there is moisture on the surface, its movement is impeded.
From a fielder’s perspective, a good outfield affords the freedom to dive and throw himself around safely without the risk of a bruise and career-threatening injury.
Beyond cricketing aspects, an outfield with a rich tinge of green also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the stadia and makes for pleasant viewing.
Here, we intend to take a look at the best outfields in India that will stand out on these counts:
#1 HPCA stadium, Dharamsala
Situated at an altitude of 1,457 m above sea level, in the hometown of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the HPCA stadium at Dharamsala is one of the most picturesque stadiums in the world. Built with an eye on aesthetics, the stadium is surrounded by snow-capped ranges of the Himalayas. The India vs. England One Day International in 2013 was the first international cricket fixture at the venue which was recently awarded Test status, and it is set to host one of the Tests against Australia this season. In keeping with the requirements of the cooler climate, the venue uses winter rye grass to prevent the conventional Bermuda grass on the outfield from dying when temperatures fall below 10 degrees. The boundaries stretch over a distance of 70 yards.
With the open and low statured stands providing wind assistance for the bowlers to move the ball in the air, the pitch currently the fastest in the country aiding pace and bounce, and the lightning quick outfield offering plenty of runs to the batsmen, this is one perfect place to play cricket as vouched for by many a visiting player who has stood in awe of the scenic experience. The Kings XI Punjab plays some of its IPL matches at this venue.