Historic Test Match Kicks Off at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium
A New Era Begins at PCA Stadium
In a landmark moment for the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium in Mullanpur, Afghanistan’s Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi delivered the inaugural ball of the venue's first Test match to Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal responded by flicking the ball towards deep square leg, marking a significant milestone in the stadium's history.
Unlike the recent T20 matches, the Test match saw a notably low turnout, highlighting the ongoing struggle to draw crowds to Test cricket. Although attendance is anticipated to rise as the day unfolds, the sweltering June heat may hinder the 35,000-seat stadium from achieving full capacity.
The hosting of this inaugural Test seemed to catch the local association off guard. Journalists arriving from various regions reported a lack of essential amenities, such as drinking water and snacks, in the morning. It was noted that police had restricted access for workers to prepare the venue until the match commenced, a situation that was only rectified after senior journalists intervened.
Despite these challenges, Saturday was a momentous occasion as the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium officially became India's 31st Test venue. The stadium previously made its international debut with a T20 match between India and South Africa in December of the previous year and has since hosted two women’s ODIs between India and Australia in September 2025, along with three seasons of IPL matches and two playoff events.
The attendance for this historic Test was minimal, with only a few spectators occupying the upper levels of the North and South stands.
Pritish, a spectator, shared, “I came to watch the first session of the match and will return to my routine work afterwards. My friends will come for the afternoon session. There will be a good crowd on Sunday.”
In contrast to the bustling atmosphere during IPL matches, the roads surrounding the venue were relatively clear, allowing vehicles to pass through security checkpoints without delays.
Another spectator, Amit, commented, “Had India been playing against a different team, the turnout might have been larger. I believe more people will arrive as the day goes on, especially those who have been invited and are experiencing a live match for the first time.”