Sports surface design company SIS Pitches has completed eight new hybrid cricket pitches – four each at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Amtar, Himachal Pradesh, and the Luhnu Cricket Stadium in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
These follow the successful introduction of hybrid pitches at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala in May with the new installations providing the two venues with greater capacity to host more games and meet the growing enthusiasm for cricket across the nation. SIS Pitches’ hybrid cricket surfaces have garnered significant attention from grounds teams and players across India.
Two pitches at each stadium (in Amtar and Bilaspur) are situated on the main squares for matches, while two additional pitches provide dedicated practice areas. The new pitches will enhance playing conditions and support professional quality training facilities for cricketers at all levels in both Bilaspur and Amtar. SIS Pitches has also incorporated a 30-square-meter extension of specially designed turf in Amtar’s practice area. This addition is intended to meet future training needs, offering flexibility for the region’s cricketing ambitions.
Paul Taylor, International Sales director of SIS Pitches, commented, “It’s encouraging to see the growing interest in hybrid pitches across India. Working with the teams at Bilaspur and Amtar has been a rewarding experience. These installations will allow these clubs to put on more games on more durable surfaces and ultimately ensure more people improve their cricket and benefit from the sport. We hope these new pitches will benefit players and coaches in their efforts to develop new cricketing talent.”
Hybrid pitches combine natural and artificial turf technology to provide consistent bounce, durability, and an improved playing experience. SISGrass hybrid pitches combine natural grass with 5% polymer fibre, designed to endure India’s diverse climates.
The ‘Universal Machine’, a critical component in installing the hybrid surface, was first developed by SISGrass in 2017. It injects a small percentage of polymer fibre with the natural turf inside cricket stadiums and pitches. With only 5% synthetic fibres, the pitch ensures that the natural characteristics essential for cricket are preserved. Integration of technologies like SISAir, a root aeration system, further improves the pitch’s health and resilience.
By improving playing conditions and infrastructure, SIS Pitches’ stated aim is to support the development of cricket at all levels in India.
