Dharamsala to be ready for IPL by April 15

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association is confident of getting its stadium in Dharamsala ready for the IPL by April 15. The Twenty20 tournament is scheduled to start on April 10 and Dharamsala will host matches on May 1 and 3.

Anurag Thakur, the HPCA president, said floodlights would be installed in the next 15 days. "The stadium has been constructed with an initial cost of Rs 35 crore and has a seating capacity of 18,500 visitors," Thakur was quoted as saying to PTI. "It has separate boxes for corporates and media. It has also got sauna and a gymnasium club house for the players."

Thakur said the state's chief minister had assured the central government that the matches could be hosted without any need for extra paramilitary forces. "The chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has already told the union government that the state will provide fool-proof security to the event at its own level."

Dharamsala last hosted an international side in September 2007 when South Africa A played India A. But only one day's play was possible. Pakistan also played a warm-up game there during their 2004-05 tour.