HPCA's newly installed SubAir Drainage System helps ensure start of India vs Afghanistan ODI in Dharamshala
Dharamshala, June 13
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association successfully showcased the capabilities of its newly-installed SubAir Drainage System at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala, as the venue was made match-ready in approximately 20 minutes despite more than 12 hours of continuous rainfall in the city.
Heavy rain had lashed Dharamshala through the previous day and continued for an extended period leading into the highly anticipated India versus Afghanistan fixture. While such weather conditions would traditionally pose a significant challenge for match preparation, HPCA's investment in one of the most advanced drainage technologies in world cricket enabled the ground staff to restore playing conditions swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that the match commenced as scheduled.
The fixture, featuring two of Asia's leading cricketing nations, attracted significant interest from fans across the country and around the world. With thousands of spectators in attendance and millions watching through broadcast and digital platforms, the ability to prepare the playing area within a short span of time underscored the importance of modern infrastructure in today's game.
The newly-installed SubAir Drainage System is a state-of-the-art technology designed to rapidly remove water from beneath the playing surface. Unlike conventional drainage systems that rely primarily on gravity, the SubAir system actively pulls water and moisture away from the turf through a network of underground pipes, significantly accelerating the drying process. The technology helps maintain the quality of the outfield, improves player safety, and allows the grounds to recover quickly following adverse weather conditions.
The system is regarded as a benchmark in modern sports venue management and is also utilised at the renowned M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, a venue widely recognised for its ability to resume play quickly after rain interruptions.
The installation of the world-class drainage system marks another significant milestone in HPCA's efforts to provide players, match officials, broadcasters, and fans with an exceptional cricketing experience while minimising weather-related disruptions.
As Dharamshala continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination for international cricket, investments in cutting-edge infrastructure such as the SubAir Drainage System will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of venue preparedness and match operations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a cricket fan from Himachal, I'm proud of this investment. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has been using SubAir for years and it's saved so many matches. Let's hope other stadiums in India adopt this technology too. Our monsoon season needs it! 🙂
This is great for the game, but I hope HPCA isn't spending crores on this while the basic facilities for spectators remain poor. Parking, clean washrooms, and affordable food are still issues at many venues. Infrastructure for the fans should also be a priority. Just saying. 🤔
I was at the match! We were all worried when the rain didn't stop, but the ground staff did an amazing job. The outfield looked perfect. It's so good to see Indian cricket adopting world-class technology. Well done, HPCA! 🇮🇳
Cricket in Dharamshala is always special, but rain was always the spoilsport. SubAir system is exactly what we needed. Now if only we could get a similar system for the roads in Himachal during monsoons! 😂 But honestly, great move by HPCA. Let's hope other venues follow suit.
As someone who has seen rain ruin many games in England, this technology is fantastic. 20 minutes from soaking wet to match-ready is remarkable. India is setting new standards for cricket infrastructure. The BCCI should make this mandatory for all international venues. Well played, HPCA!
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