HPCA Stadium Pitch Report 2026 PBKS vs RCB (Match 61): Average Scores, Batting vs Bowling Conditions & the Dew Factor in Dharamsala

HPCA Stadium sits in the heart of snow covered mountains of Dhauladhar range at 1457 metres above sea level in Dharamsala. The high altitude, cool climate and pace friendly surface makes it one of the most unique and strategically important cricket venues in India. The stadium is all set to host Match 61 of IPL 2026 i.e PBKS vs RCB. Let’s get to Dharamsala pitch report IPL 2026.

Venue Overview

Tucked away in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the HPCA Stadium was built in 2003 and holds just over 21,000 spectators. The River End and College End frame a ground that doubles as a visual spectacle. Punjab Kings use it as their IPL base, and the Himachal Pradesh state side plays all home fixtures here.

Dharamsala pitch report IPL 2026

Perched in the Himalayas, the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is every fast bowler’s dream — the thin mountain air and chilly temperatures keep the ball talking throughout the game, particularly in the first few overs. IPL games here have averaged 182 in the first innings, with the highest total going up to 232/2 and the lowest successfully defended being 145, so no total is ever truly safe on this ground.

• Pacers Rule the Powerplay: The new ball moves both in the air and off the surface here more than almost anywhere else in India, and bowlers hitting good lengths early can rip through any top order.
• Batters Find Their Feet Later: It’s tough upfront, but once a batter gets their eye in and reads the pace, the scoring opens up nicely, especially in the back end of the innings.
• The pitch has not much turn: Most pitches in India demand a good spin whereas this pitch requires the spinners to make it interesting otherwise the pace will be too slow.
• Conditions Can Shift the Game: Cloud cover and cool mountain winds are real factors here — on an overcast day, even ordinary seamers can look lethal with the swing on offer.
• Chasing Is the Smarter Call: History at this venue points clearly toward bowling first; knowing your target under lights at Dharamsala is a big advantage any captain would gladly take.

Average Scores Across Formats

Understanding what scores will be considered competitive at Dharamsala is 50% of the fantasy battle. The numbers here tell a clear story: par scores are meaningful, but big chases are not out of reach.

T20I & IPL Scores

More on Dharamsala pitch report IPL 2026, the highest IPL total at this ground is 232/2, while the lowest is 127. The biggest successful chase stands at 193/3, and the smallest total defended is 145. These numbers show that while batting first gives a team something to bowl at, the chasing side is rarely out of the contest, particularly on dewy evenings.

ODI & Test Scores

Dharamsala has hosted just one Test match. India batted first and posted 474, which proved an insurmountable total. The pitch had a few days of wear and tear on it, and was not always very good for the bowlers, and had some tricky seams, which was a good case for batting first in the longer formats.

Batting vs Bowling Conditions

Dharamsala’s bat vs ball competition is never dull. The new ball is good, and seaming is on point; this is where fast bowlers have an edge. After this, the pitch settles, and the batsmen get on the scoreboard, and rosy innings follow.

Roughly 55 to 60 percent of T20 runs at this ground come after the power play. Teams batting first typically collect 55 to 65 runs in the opening six overs before accelerating sharply through the final stages.

The Dew Factor in Dharamsala

Dew is not just a talking point at Dharamsala; it is a match-shaping variable. Cool air rolls in off the Himalayan slopes as evening progresses, settling moisture across the outfield and on the ball. By the 10th to 12th over of the second innings, conditions for bowlers shift dramatically. The ball is slippery, spinners have a difficult time and pace bowlers struggle in deliveries with cutters.

How Dew affects Results:

• Chasing batters enjoy a smooth ball coming onto the bat as a result of the wet conditions.
• When dew forms, spin bowlers lose about 40-50% of their ability.
• First in approximately 65% of night games in this country in IPL, are toss-winning captains.
• For fantasy players, it’s best to focus on the bats from the chasing side in evening games.
• IPL 2026 Pitch Behaviour Summary
• In eleven IPL matches played in Dharamsala, the teams whose turn it was to bat first have won six while the bowling side have won five.

IPL 2026 Pitch Behaviour Summary

Of eleven IPL matches at Dharamsala, teams batting first have won six and bowling-first sides have won 5. That near-even split shows execution matters as much as conditions. The introduction of a hybrid SISGrass pitch, the first at a BCCI-approved venue, has brought greater surface consistency, reducing variable bounce and holding the track together better across a full match.

HPCA Stadium PBKS vs RCB (Match 61, IPL 2026)

Dharamsala’s mountain air keeps the ball moving all night — pacers thrive early, batters take over late, and spinners struggle for grip throughout.

Quick Stats Table

PBKS at HPCA — Home Ground, Tough Battles

Punjab have played all 13 HPCA matches, winning just 5 — this ground has rarely been kind to the home side. Despite being their second home, PBKS have consistently struggled to convert home advantage into results here. The mountain conditions and lively pitch have often worked against them rather than in their favour.

PBKS at HPCA: Punjab have played all 13 HPCA matches, winning just 5 — this ground has rarely been kind to the home side.

RCB at HPCA: RCB’s 241/7 in 2024, fuelled by Kohli’s 92 and Patidar’s 55 off 23 balls, is the highest total ever at Dharamsala — they won by 60 runs.

PBKS vs RCB at HPCA: These two have met twice here — PBKS won big in 2011 with Gilchrist’s century, but RCB hit back hard in 2024 to level it up.

Conclusion

Ending the Dharamsala pitch report IPL 2026, with the fact that conditions here demand respect before a ball is even bowled. The opening overs test even the most technically sound batsmen, dew tilts night matches firmly in favour of the chasing side, and the hybrid pitch has brought welcome consistency to an already compelling surface. For the sharpest pre-match pitch updates, toss analysis, and fantasy cricket guidance at Dharamsala, Allcric remains the most reliable platform to follow ahead of every fixture in 2026.