Set against the majestic backdrop of the Dhauladhar ranges, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) is gaining global acclaim—not just for its iconic stadium in Dharamsala, but also for nurturing a legacy of excellence in cricket’s technical domain. Himachal’s elite scorers are quietly scripting a remarkable chapter in India’s cricketing story.
In a journey spanning nearly three decades, Himachal Pradesh has achieved the rare distinction of producing a five-member international scoring panel—an extraordinary feat in Indian cricket. This success story began in 1996 when Ajay Chopra and Rakesh Bakshi became the first Himachali scorers to be inducted into the BCCI’s national scoring panel. Today, they are joined by Ajay Goel, R.K. Raghu, and Sunil Jamwal, forming a formidable team of five international-level scorers from the state.
Adding to the state’s growing technical prowess in cricket, HPCA’s Virender Sharma has carved a niche for himself as an international umpire on the ICC panel, further strengthening Himachal’s presence on the global cricket stage.
Reflecting on their journey, the scorers shared, “We’re proud that as sons of Himachal, we’ve not only handled every national and international match played here, but have also served at major venues across India. It’s a job that demands unwavering focus—you can’t even blink during a game—but the satisfaction is immense.”
Their collective resume is impressive: scoring duties for two Test matches, 25 international games, and two ICC World Cups (2011 and 2023), along with 15 Indian Premier League (IPL) fixtures. Chopra and Bakshi notably served as official scorers during the landmark India-Pakistan friendly, the first-ever international match held at Dharamsala’s scenic venue.
As the HPCA continues its pursuit of excellence, its unsung heroes—the scorers and officials—are playing a pivotal role in placing Himachal Pradesh firmly on the global cricketing map
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
