HPCA Reviews Landmark Season at AGM, Sets Sights on Grassroots and Youth Cricket
DHARAMSHALA — The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) held its Annual General Meeting at Dharamshala on 27 September 2026, where office-bearers and members reviewed a landmark season that saw Dharamshala host an IPL Qualifier for the first time ever, alongside international cricket and a growing reach for the game across Himachal.
During the 2025/26 season, the HPCA Stadium hosted four TATA IPL matches, including a Qualifier. It was the first time an IPL playoff match was held in Dharamshala, a milestone for the venue and for cricket in the state. The stadium also hosted an India vs Afghanistan ODI during the year. Fans experienced a smoother matchday with the stadium’s new smart facilities, including digital ticketing and stadium-wide Wi-Fi. Beyond the stadium, IPL Fan Parks in Chamba and Mandi brought the excitement of the tournament to communities across the state.
At the grassroots level, HPCA’s Sub-Centre network continued to grow across all districts of Himachal Pradesh, giving young boys and girls greater access to coaching, facilities and competitive cricket closer to home. District-level and age-group tournaments through the season provided a steady pathway for emerging talent to progress to higher levels of the game.
On the field, Himachal players continued to make their mark. Sushma Verma and Harleen Deol’s selection for the Caribbean Premier League was a proud moment for the state and an inspiration for young cricketers across Himachal.
The association also highlighted the new Centre of Excellence at Dharamshala, which brings coaching, sports medicine, rehabilitation and performance analysis under one roof. HPCA’s coaches, umpires, match officials and medical staff also earned national-level recognition and appointments during the year, strengthening the wider cricket ecosystem in the state.
Looking ahead to 2026/27, HPCA will focus on taking cricket deeper into the districts, strengthening youth and age-group pathways, extending high-performance support beyond Dharamshala, upgrading ground facilities, and increasing participation among boys and girls across Himachal Pradesh.
The meeting was attended by Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon. Secretary Manuj Sharma, Hon. Vice President Vijay Bhandari, Hon. Treasurer Vikram Singh, Hon. Joint Secretary Vishal Sharma, and members of the association.
HPCA remains committed to widening access to cricket and supporting talent from the grassroots to the highest level of the game.
