Gelephu International Cricket Ground is one of Bhutan’s most important cricket venues and has slowly gained attention in international cricket, especially in women’s matches and associate-level tournaments. Located in southern Bhutan, this ground offers balanced playing conditions where both batters and bowlers get fair support.
The pitch behavior, local weather, and past match records play a key role in deciding match results here. In this complete guide, we take a close look at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground pitch report, overall records, and typical weather conditions to help fans, analysts, and fantasy cricket players understand what to expect from matches played at this venue.
Gelephu International Cricket Ground Pitch Report
- The pitch at Gelephu International Cricket Ground is balanced, helping both batters and bowlers
- Fast bowlers get some help at the start, especially with the new ball
- Batting becomes easier as the match goes on
- The ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing good shot-making
- The outfield is fast, so well-timed shots can reach the boundary
- Big scores are possible, but batters need to spend some time at the crease
- Teams often prefer to bowl first and chase, as conditions remain steady later
Gelephu International Cricket Ground Weather Report
- Gelephu has a subtropical climate, which means it is mostly warm
- Day temperatures usually range between 20°C to 30°C
- Evenings are cooler and comfortable for players
- Humidity can be moderate, especially during afternoon matches
- Monsoon season (June to September) brings heavy rain and may interrupt games
- Winter months offer better playing conditions with less rain
- Wind is usually light, so it does not affect batting much
- Weather generally supports full matches, unless there is heavy rain
Gelephu International Cricket Ground Records
Here are the most important records from international matches played at Gelephu International Cricket Ground (mostly in T20 International games):
Highest Team Totals
- 171/6 – Thailand scored the highest team total at this ground in a T20I match against Bhutan.
- 154/6 – Thailand vs Maldives.
- 146/5 – Thailand vs Indonesia.
- 144/3 – Bhutan’s highest team total against Indonesia.
Top Individual Scores
- 62 runs – AP Yadav (Thailand), the highest individual score at the ground.
- 58 runs – Azyan Farhath (Maldives).
- 57 runs* – Tenjin Rabgey (Bhutan) and RM Dorji (Bhutan).
Biggest Winning Margins
- 77 runs – Thailand beat Bhutan by the largest margin at this venue.
- 66 runs – Thailand vs Indonesia.
- 56 runs – Bhutan vs Indonesia.
Highest Match Totals (Both Teams Combined)
- 265 runs – Highest combined runs by both teams in a match (Bhutan vs Thailand).
- 264 runs – Maldives vs Thailand.
Notable Bowling & Unique Feats
- 8/7 bowling figures – Sonam Yeshey (Bhutan) took eight wickets for 7 runs in a T20I match here, a historic bowling performance in T20 cricket.
Other Interesting Records
- Many players scored quick runs with high strike rates at this ground — for example Y Saranonnakkun scored at 178.57 SR (runs per 100 balls).
- Fielding records include 3 catches in an innings by Ibrahim Hassan.
Toss Impact & Match Strategy at Gelephu International Cricket Ground
- Balanced toss history: At Gelephu, matches played so far show that both batting first and bowling first have seen wins, though teams sometimes lean slightly toward one based on conditions on the day. In several games, teams winning the toss have chosen to bowl first to take advantage of early conditions.
- Why bowl first? Early in the day, there can be slight moisture or movement on the pitch, giving bowlers, especially seamers, a better chance to trouble batters in the opening overs. Captains often prefer to field first to exploit this and then chase a target later when conditions become more predictable.
- When teams choose to bat first: In some matches, particularly where the pitch is dry and expected to slow later, captains winning the toss may opt to bat first to put up a solid total on the board before bowling becomes easier.
- Impact of conditions: The pitch at Gelephu tends to settle down as the game progresses, which means batting in the second innings can sometimes be easier if dew is not significant and bowlers can maintain control.
- Winning chances by choice: Based on available match strategy trends, teams choosing to bowl first often have a slight edge due to early assistance for bowlers. However, if the surface is dry and predictable with minimal movement, batting first can also be rewarding—especially if a competitive score is set and the bowlers can defend it.
Conclusion
Gelephu International Cricket Ground is a growing venue in Bhutan cricket, known for its balanced pitch and friendly weather. Teams here have seen both high-scoring matches and tight contests, making every game exciting.
The records, pitch behavior, and toss strategies all play an important role in determining match outcomes. Understanding these factors can help players plan better and fans enjoy the game more.
