Punjab Kings Roar Back: Dharamsala Win After 12 Years, Playoffs in Sight

For the first time in 12 years, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have won at their picturesque Dharamsala home, beating Lucknow Super Giants by 37 runs and ending a notorious home jinx under captain Shreyas Iyer.

The previous time PBKS picked up over 14 points in an IPL season and won at Dharamsala, the world was a very different place: India had not yet hosted the G20, COVID-19 did not exist, and the IPL was only in its first decade.

Since then, cricket has witnessed new superstars emerge, a global pandemic changed the nature of sports calendars, and the IPL grew with new teams and grounds. PBKS themselves have hosted just 14 games at Dharamsala so far, winning only six-a record that haunted them for more than a decade.

The HPCA Stadium, famous for its stunning Himalayan view, has turned into PBKS' home, with the franchise now dividing home games between New Chandigarh and Dharamsala.

This win is not only a statistical landmark but also a confidence-booster, as PBKS are still in the playoff race this season, placed fourth on the points table with six victories from ten games.

The victory also symbolizes a shift: the fans of PBKS, deprived for so long of home glory, finally have cause to cheer in the hills, as the side seeks to end its drought of playoffs and perhaps look toward a first title. 

The Sporting News, Cricket One, Punjab Kesari