Overview
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is a multi-purpose cricket venue located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The stadium is primarily utilized for international cricket matches and serves as a key host for various T20 competitions, including T20 Internationals (T20I) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The first T20 match at the venue was recorded in 2016, marking the beginning of its tenure as a significant stop on the T20 circuit.
The stadium's infrastructure is designed to optimize the spectator experience. It features a two-tier structure engineered to eliminate restricted views, specifically removing pillars or columns that might obstruct the line of sight for spectators. This design choice ensures unobstructed visibility of the field of play from most seating areas.
The playing surface at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is characterized as batter-friendly. This pitch condition typically favors stroke-makers, often leading to higher scoring rates and dynamic batting performances in T20 matches. The nature of the pitch influences team strategies, with captains often opting to bat first to capitalize on the favorable conditions, although specific match outcomes depend on broader game dynamics.
Historical records indicate that the stadium has undergone several naming conventions. It was established in 2003, initially bearing the name Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium. In 2009, it was renamed the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in honor of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. In 2025, the venue reverted to the name ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. These changes reflect the administrative and commemorative decisions made by the Andhra Cricket Association and the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association over the years.
As a host for mixed-league T20 cricket, the stadium accommodates both domestic and international franchises. Its inclusion in the IPL schedule highlights its importance in the franchise league structure, while its use for T20Is underscores its international standard. The venue's ability to host high-profile matches is supported by its modern facilities and strategic location in Visakhapatnam, making it a prominent cricketing hub in South India.
Pitch and Conditions
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam features a pitch profile that is widely recognized as batter-friendly. This characteristic encourages high-scoring encounters, making the venue a strategic choice for franchises aiming to maximize run rates. The surface typically offers consistent bounce and true pace, allowing stroke-makers to execute shots with confidence. While the pitch primarily favors the bat, it also provides assistance to spinners, particularly as the match progresses and the ball begins to grip the surface. Spin bowlers often find purchase in the middle overs, adding a layer of tactical complexity to the game. The stadium's architectural design significantly enhances the spectator experience. It features a two-tier structure that has been carefully engineered to minimize visual obstructions. The design eliminates pillars and columns from the field of view, ensuring that spectators have unobstructed sightlines to the action on the field. This feature is particularly beneficial for fans seated in the upper tiers, who can enjoy a clear view of the pitch and the boundary ropes without interference from structural elements. Weather conditions, particularly the dew factor, play a crucial role in matches held at this venue. As the evening progresses, moisture tends to settle on the outfield and the pitch, affecting the behavior of the ball. The dew factor often becomes more pronounced in the second innings, making it easier for batsmen to grip the ball and rotate the strike. This can lead to higher run chases and dynamic finishes, as the batting side can leverage the slicker surface to accelerate their scoring rate. The combination of a batter-friendly pitch, spinner assistance, and the impact of dew creates a dynamic environment that tests both batting and bowling strategies. The first T20 match at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium was played in 2016, marking the beginning of its tenure as a key venue for limited-overs cricket. Since then, the stadium has hosted numerous matches, showcasing its ability to accommodate international and domestic teams. The venue's reputation for producing high-scoring games has made it a popular choice for tournament organizers, who seek to deliver exciting and competitive matches for fans. The consistent performance of the pitch and the favorable conditions have contributed to the stadium's growing prominence in the T20 cricket landscape.
T20I Records and Stats
T20I Records and Stats
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam has hosted significant T20I encounters since its first T20 match in 2016. The pitch is characterized as batter-friendly, a trait reflected in the venue's statistical records for team totals and individual performances.
The highest team total recorded in a T20I at this venue is 215/7, achieved by New Zealand against India on 2026-01-28. This score represents the upper limit of batting dominance observed in the available data for this competition at the ground.
Conversely, the lowest team total is 82/10, set by Sri Lanka against India on 2016-02-14. This match also features the best bowling figures recorded at the stadium: 4/8 by R Ashwin. Ashwin's performance was instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka to their lowest score at the venue.
For individual batting records, the highest individual score is 110, scored by JP Inglis on 2023-11-23. This innings is noted as Josh Inglis's maiden T20I century. The data confirms Inglis as the record holder for the highest individual score at this venue in T20I cricket.
These statistics highlight the venue's capacity to produce both high-scoring chases and dominant bowling spells, with records spanning from 2016 to 2026.
IPL Records at Visakhapatnam
IPL Records at Visakhapatnam
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam has hosted 17 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches between 2012 and 2025. The venue is known for a batter-friendly pitch, which has contributed to several notable statistical records during the tournament.
The highest team total recorded at this venue in the IPL is 272/7. This score was achieved by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Delhi Capitals (DC) on 3 April 2024. Conversely, the lowest team total at the stadium is 76/1, set by Rajasthan Royals (RPS) against Delhi Daredevils (DD) on 17 May 2016.
In terms of individual performances, the highest individual score at the venue is 91 runs, scored by David Warner (DA Warner) on 22 April 2015. The best bowling figures recorded at the stadium are 6/19, achieved by Adam Zampa (A Zampa) on 10 May 2016.
These records highlight the varying conditions and competitive nature of IPL matches held at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium over the years.
What are the notable T20 moments at this venue?
Notable T20 Moments
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium has hosted several significant matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with its T20 history dating back to 2016. The venue gained early prominence during the 2016 season, when it served as a primary home ground for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) and Mumbai Indians (MI). This scheduling was necessitated by water scarcity in Maharashtra, which forced MI to relocate their home fixtures to Visakhapatnam. One of the most memorable moments from this period occurred during an RPS match, where MS Dhoni orchestrated a dramatic 22-run final over chase. This specific event highlighted the stadium's potential for high-stakes, batter-friendly finishes.
In 2019, the stadium played a crucial role in the IPL playoffs, hosting both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 matches. These high-pressure games underscored the venue's status as a key stop on the IPL circuit, capable of accommodating the logistical and atmospheric demands of knockout-stage cricket. The pitch conditions, described as batter-friendly, contributed to the competitive nature of these playoff encounters.
More recently, the venue has seen increased utilization by Delhi Capitals. The franchise used the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium as a home ground during the 2024 and 2025 IPL seasons. This strategic move reflects the league's ongoing efforts to distribute matches across diverse Indian cities, leveraging Visakhapatnam's infrastructure to enhance the fan experience. The stadium's design, which eliminates pillars or columns to avoid restricted views, provides spectators with clear sightlines, adding to the appeal of hosting high-profile T20 fixtures.
While the stadium is primarily known for these IPL milestones, its multi-purpose nature and location in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, continue to make it a versatile venue for international and domestic T20 cricket. The available data does not capture specific statistical records such as the highest team total or individual batting scores at this venue, but the historical events outlined above remain defining moments in the stadium's T20 legacy.
Other Format Records
Other Format Records
The ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam hosts matches across multiple formats, with the pitch characterized as batter-friendly. While the venue is a regular fixture for T20 cricket, it has also produced significant records in One Day Internationals (ODI) and Test matches.
In ODI cricket, the highest team total recorded at the stadium is 387/5, achieved by India against the West Indies in 2019. Individual batting highlights in the 50-over format include Rohit Sharma scoring 159 runs. In the longer format, Mayank Agarwal recorded a score of 215 runs in a Test match at the venue. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 209 runs in a Test innings at this ground. On the bowling front, Kuldeep Yadav claimed a hat-trick in an ODI match played at the stadium.