IPL 2024: New stadium will bring renewed luck for PBKS, says Shikhar Dhawan
Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan hoped that the new stadium will bring renewed luck for PBKS in the 2024 season – having gone trophy-less in the first 16 seasons of the cash-rich league.
“The new jersey has new details and everyday is a new day and you come up with new ideas. We always look forward to positive vibes ahead of the tournament,” Dhawan said at the jersey launch event.
“The new stadium will be our lucky charm. We are trying to think positively. We are very grateful to Mohali and we thank the Mohali stadium, its groundsmen,” he further added.
PBKS NEW STADIUM
Punjab Kings (PBKS) will host their home matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the newly-built Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali.
Mullanpur will host its first match when the Kings lock horns with the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday, March 23. The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali has hosted home matches of PBKS over the years.
However, the crowd in Mohali will now get a chance to experience the ambience of a new stadium. The venue has a capacity of 33,000.
“The Mullanpur stadium also has a well-equipped herringbone drainage system, which helps in removal of water within 25-30 minutes after the rain stops. Instead of using traditional soil, the ground is made of sand, which is difficult to maintain, but provides good stability.
“It is equipped with two international-standard dressing rooms having facilities for steam, sauna and ice bath, while a world-class gym has also been set up at this complex,” the release added.
Earlier in February, Caroline Rowett, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh, visited the stadium. She thanked Dilsher Khanna, the PCA Honorary Secretary, and vice-president Preet Mohinder Singh Banga for giving her a tour of the venue.
The Kings, in the meantime, will be looking to win their maiden IPL title. They are the only team to not have won the IPL even once. In fact, since playing in the IPL 2014 final against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the Kings have failed to advance to the playoffs even once.
