As the IPL carnival now moves to Ahmedabad, and we wait to find out who makes it to the final alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey this season, one that ended on a high at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. Covering matches on ground, soaking in the energy of the fans, getting to watch some incredible cricket is the best part about covering the IPL. And it all came to a perfect end because Mullanpur’s hospitality gave the journey it’ perfect closing chapter.
In the midst of IPL chaos, going in and out of the press box for multiple shows and shooting content, you’re lucky if you can grab a quick bite, but at Mullanpur, you couldn’t help but take out time to actually enjoy the food because the staff rolled out the red carpet for everyone.
With one of the best spreads of a variety of foods—from rajma chawal that tasted like it was straight out of a grandmother’s kitchen to the refreshing coffee that was served throughout the match to tired journalists; Mullanpur offered relief from the work pressures. When it comes to food, you always expect the most out of Punjab and Mullanpur set the standards incredibly high. There’s something about local flavors hitting just right when you’re far from home.
But hospitality isn’t just about good food. It is also about the warmth of the people, the efficiency of the stadium staff and the little details, like making sure that the media box had plenty of energy drinks and electrolytes in the scorching heat. Staff that were courteous and kind and made sure to check on how you were doing—such acts of thoughtfulness make a world of difference. Mullanpur was a reminder that cricket, at its heart, is about community and care, not just competition.
And finally there was the view, Mullanpur’s layout, with modern design and open stands was a stunning perspective of the game. As the sun went down and the floodlights took over, the ground shimmered and it was cinematic in every sense of the word.
And for me, what truly stole the show was the crowd. The local crowd brought out all the energy, with fans proudly backing Punjab Kings. And the local boy, Shubman Gill, even if he was playing for Gujarat Titans, the energy in the stands and around the stadium was electric. The fans braved the summer heat, queued up hours before the gates opened, and cheered their hearts out until the very last ball.
Mullanpur was truly a reminder of why I love this game. The food, the hospitality, the view but most importantly—the fans. It’s always the fans who make the journey unforgettable, energy that can’t be described in words but can only be felt.