2nd T20 match of India-SA tomorrow to be first men’s international match at new PCA stadium

“It’s a matter of pride for PCA to host its first T20I at the Mullanpur Stadium. The association will also be dedicating two stands in the name of Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar and Yuvraj Singh. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria will be present on the occasion. We have also requested Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to grace the occasion. With stands being named after Harmanpreet and Yuvraj, cricketers in the state will be inspired to bring laurels to the state as well as the country,” PCA president Amarjit Singh Mehta told The Indian Express.

PCA acting secretary Siddhant Sharma told The Indian Express that both Harmanpreet and Yuvraj will be present for the unveiling of the stands named after them. “Both Harmanpreet and Yuvraj will be present during the unveiling of the stands named after them at the stadium. It’s a matter of huge pride for the Punjab cricket and cricketing fraternity. Amanjot Kaur, member of Women’s World Cup winning Indian women’s team, and Munish Bali, fielding coach of the World Cup winning Indian women’s team, too will be present and felicitated prior to the match,” said Sharma while talking with The Indian Express.

Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar’s father Harmandar Singh Bhullar too expressed his joy over the decision of PCA to name a stand after his daughter. “It’s a matter of joy as well as pride for the whole Bhullar family and more and more cricketers will be inspired,” Harmandar Singh Bhullar told The Indian Express.

The Mullanpur Stadium currently has one stand named after Rajya Sabha MP and former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. Mehta, when asked about stands being named after Punjab legends like Lala Amarnath and other cricketers like Mohinder Amarnath and Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mehta replied that the PCA names stands after consideration by the office-bearers and decision of the executive committee. “Some players belong to Punjab but played for other states. The executive committee and office-bearers get the requests and after due consideration as well as decision of the committee, the stands are named and will be named after players under the same process in future too,” said Mehta.

The 38,000-capacity stadium had so far hosted 11 IPL matches, including two play-offs this year apart from hosting the first and second Women’s ODI between India and Australia in the WODi series played prior to the Women’s World Cup. With the Surya Kumar Yadav-led Indian T20 team facing the Aiden Markram-led South African team on Thursday, the ticket sales for the match have seen rapid sales as well as much demand. Tickets have been priced at Rs 300 for students with other tickets ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000. “Ticket sales for the match have seen a high demand and it will be a memorable experience for the fans to watch India and South Africa in action at the new stadium,” said Sharma.