Punjab Cricket Association has renamed two stands of IS Bindra PCA International Stadium at Mohali after Harbhajan Sigh and Yuvraj Singh ahead of three-match T20I home series against Australia. PCA renamed its famous Terrace Block after former off-spinner and current Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh and North Pavilion stand of the stadium after Yuvraj Singh.
According to PCA secretary Dilsher Khanna, more such stands of the stadium will be renamed after former cricketers of the state and PCA is likely to set the criteria and invite applications from other states. Mohali's international stadium was built in 1994 and is named after former PCA and BCCI official IS Bindra. The venue so far has hosted 14 Test matches, 25 one-day internationals and five T20 matches.
"It’s a historic decision, the PCA executive committee, under President Gulzar Inder Chahal, has decided to name the Terrace Block and North Pavilion stands after legendary Indian cricketers. Both the cricketers have been the ambassador of the state and their contribution to the game is unparalleled. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have inspired several young cricketers and more young cricket fans will be inspired after seeing stand after the name of their favorite cricketers," Khanna told Indian Express.
Khanna further informed that management is mulling the idea to rename more stands after former cricketers from the state but as the IS Bindra PCA Stadium has only a handful of stands as compared to other stadiums in India, so primarily named the stands after cricketers from the state. Earlier, PCA had named a new international stadium at Mullanpur which is currently undergoing construction after former Indian Test cricketer and former ruler of Patiala, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh.