On June 6, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA New International Stadium will mark its entry into the annals of Indian cricket as the nation’s 31st Test venue, hosting a unique match between India and Afghanistan.
Previously, the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali and Burton Park in Jalandhar have served as venues for Test matches, but the newly constructed Mullanpur stadium has now joined the ranks of India’s esteemed Test cricket venues.
Shubman Gill, a cricketer hailing from Punjab, will lead the Indian Test team for the first time at his home ground, with Gurnoor Brar, another rising talent from the region, also included in the 15-member squad. This match represents a significant milestone for Gill, who has participated in 40 Test matches, alongside 61 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. He was appointed captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams last year and has since led India in eight Test matches, three of which were played on home soil.
“The Punjab Cricket Association is proud to have our new stadium recognized as the 31st Test venue in India. It is a point of pride for Punjab, especially with Shubman Gill captaining the team in this one-off Test against Afghanistan, alongside fellow Punjab cricketer Gurnoor Brar,” remarked PCA secretary Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer. “We are committed to ensuring that this Test match is a memorable experience for everyone involved. Recently, we also hosted two IPL playoff matches, and we aim to attract as many events to our stadium as possible,” he added.
Last year, Mullanpur stadium hosted its inaugural international match during the India-Australia women’s ODI series. Subsequently, it welcomed its first men’s international match in December during a T20 series against South Africa. This year, the stadium has hosted four IPL matches as well as the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator during the IPL playoffs.
In contrast, the IS Bindra PCA International Stadium at Mohali has previously hosted a total of 14 Test matches, 26 ODIs, and seven T20Is.
The ticket pricing for the upcoming Test match has been set at more accessible rates compared to the IPL matches, which ranged from Rs 2,200 to Rs 20,500. For the five-day Test, tickets are priced starting at Rs 250, with the most expensive option at Rs 10,000. The pricing structure includes Rs 250 for upper-tier stands, Rs 1,500 for terrace stands, Rs 2,000 for the South Pavilion Stand, Rs 2,500 for the Harbhajan Singh Pavilion, Rs 4,000 for Corporate Box SB1, and Rs 10,000 for the AC Lounge Level-1. Additionally, student tickets are available for Rs 100, and PCA reports that over 1,700 tickets have already been sold.
“We encourage both school and college students to attend this historic Test match during their summer break. Our ticket prices are deliberately set low, starting from Rs 250, allowing fans to enjoy all five days of the match with a single ticket. The PCA is dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience for cricket enthusiasts,” Hayer stated.
On Wednesday, both Indian and Afghanistan teams conducted practice sessions at the Mullanpur stadium, with Indian coach Gautam Gambhir and newly appointed spin coach Sairaj Bahutule in attendance. The Afghanistan team, led by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, also engaged in an extensive practice session lasting over two hours. “We have prepared three pitches for the Indian team’s practice on Ground B, as requested by their management. Additionally, we are planning to install floodlights at Ground B in the future,” Hayer added.
Nitin Sharma serves as an Assistant Editor on the sports team at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He works on the print sports desk and covers breaking news for the online sports team. A recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2017 for his piece ‘Harmans of Moga,’ Nitin has also won the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity three times between 2022 and 2024. His most recent Laadli Award in November 2025 was for an article on Deepthi Jeevanji, who made history as India’s first gold medalist at the World Athletics Para Championship.
Nitin specializes in Olympic sports, particularly in disciplines like shooting, boxing, wrestling, and athletics. His 17-year tenure at The Indian Express has taken him across India, from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the Northeast. He also covers cricket, including women’s cricket, with a strong interest in the sport. Nitin’s experience includes coverage of major events such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the 2017 AIBA World Youth Boxing Championships.
A graduate of the School of Communication Studies at Panjab University, where he earned his Master’s in Mass Communications, Nitin is also an enthusiastic quizzer. A color holder from Guru Nanak Dev University, he developed his passion for quizzing in Talwara Township, near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. Outside of work, Nitin enjoys discovering new trekking paths in the mountains or spending leisure time by the Beas River in his hometown.
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