Luhnu, where Kohli once played, prepares for Ranji Trophy return after a decade

The Mumbai vs Himachal Pradesh match was originally scheduled to be played in Dharamshala but was shifted to Bilaspur following incessant rain and concerns over the ground’s readiness. | Photo Credit: Shayan Acharya

With the Bandla hills rising behind it and the blue waters of the Gobind Sagar Lake stretching into the distance, the Luhnu Cricket Ground offers a striking setting for a game of cricket.

A young Virat Kohli played here for Delhi’s under-15 side in 2002.

On Sunday, Mumbai takes on Himachal Pradesh at the venue, which is set to host first-class cricket for the first time in a decade.

The match was originally scheduled to be played in Dharamshala but was shifted to Bilaspur following incessant rain and concerns over the ground’s readiness.

For the teams, the change means adjusting to life in a small town where hotel options are limited. Both have had to settle for two-star accommodation without some of the amenities they might expect at bigger venues, including a gym or a swimming pool. There have been no major complaints, though, apart from the occasional, half-joking lament: “ Ek gym mil jaata toh…” (Wish there was a gym).

Mumbai has India internationals Sarfaraz Khan, Suryansh Shedge and Tushar Deshpande in its ranks. All three have represented the country, but they have yet to gain the mass appeal of some of Indian cricket’s biggest stars.

A local organiser had a name in mind when discussing the crowd the fixture might attract. “Had Yashasvi Jaiswal played for Mumbai in this game, it would have been a full house for all four days,” he said with a smile.

The ground has seen its share of memorable contests and prominent cricketers. Former India player Parvez Rasool fondly remembers his last outing at Luhnu, 12 years ago, when his heroics helped Jammu and Kashmir beat Delhi by two wickets in a Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture.

“That was a special match, and the ground was picturesque,” Rasool told Sportstar.

The contest featured Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Mithun Manhas, now the BCCI president. Rasool led J&K’s charge with a 74 as the team pulled off an upset. “Back then, not many took us seriously. But we stunned Delhi and showed what J&K cricket is capable of,” he said.

Luhnu has been part of Himachal Pradesh’s cricketing story for nearly three decades. It hosted its first inter-district match in 1997 and its first national fixture on December 13, 1999, when Himachal faced Jammu and Kashmir in the Vijay Merchant Trophy for under-16 players.

Luhnu hosted its first inter-district match in 1997 and its first national fixture on December 13, 1999, when Himachal faced Jammu and Kashmir in the Vijay Merchant Trophy. | Photo Credit: Shayan Acharya

Ranji Trophy cricket arrived on November 18, 2001, when Himachal took on Delhi. Sangram Singh scored 190 in that match, a score that remains the highest first-class innings at the venue. It is also the only century by a Himachal Pradesh player at Luhnu.

The ground has hosted four Ranji Trophy matches, two featuring Himachal. The last of those was played in December 2002. The other two were between neutral sides, the most recent being Bengal versus Punjab in October 2016.

Himachal Pradesh currently has three active first-class venues — Dharamshala, Bilaspur and Nadaun. While Dharamshala has emerged as the state’s prominent international cricket venue, Bilaspur has largely been absent from the first-class calendar.

Luhnu has hosted several prominent names, including Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, while Kohli’s appearance for Delhi’s under-15 side remains another notable chapter in its history. The venue also hosted the Under-19 Challenger Trophy in 2016-17, featuring Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, both now established India internationals.

On Sunday, the attention will turn to Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh. For Bilaspur, it will be a chance to see the Ranji Trophy unfold against a familiar backdrop — one that has witnessed future India stars, memorable performances and, occasionally, the sort of upset that stays with players like Rasool for years.