IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and former England Cricketer Paul Taylor throughout a press convention SISGrass Hybrid Pitches at HPCA Ground in Dharamshala on May 06, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Moorthy RV
India’s first-ever ‘hybrid pitch’ was unveiled on the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in a grand ceremony right here on May 6.
The occasion was attended by IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and cricket dignitaries together with Paul Taylor, a former England cricketer and SIS’s worldwide cricket director.
“The introduction of hybrid pitches is set to revolutionize cricket in India, following their success in iconic venues like Lord’s and The Oval in England,” stated Dhumal, who hails from Himachal Pradesh.
The hybrid pitch, which mixes pure turf with artificial fibres, guarantees enhanced sturdiness and constant playability, decreasing the pressure on floor workers and sustaining high quality enjoying circumstances.
With solely 5% artificial fibres, the pitch ensures that the pure traits important for cricket are preserved.
Taylor expressed gratitude in direction of the HPCA for his or her collaboration on this pioneering venture.
“With the ICC’s approval, we’re excited to see the positive impact these pitches will have on the sport, starting with installations in Mumbai and Ahmedabad next,” he stated.
The ‘Universal Machine’, a essential element in putting in the hybrid floor, was developed by SISGrass in 2017 and has been instrumental in the rollout of comparable pitches throughout England’s county cricket grounds.
This innovation aligns with the ICC’s latest sanctioning of hybrid pitches for T20 and one-day worldwide matches, with plans to increase their use in four-day county championships beginning this yr.
The integration of applied sciences like SISAir, a root aeration system, additional underscores the dedication to enhancing cricket infrastructure in India. This system improves the pitch’s well being and resilience, benefiting gamers with higher and safer enjoying circumstances.
