The Vizag Cricket Stadium is a picturesque ground located on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Established in 2003, the Vizag Cricket Stadium is also known as Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium as it is named after Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, who served as the 14th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.
Formerly known as Andhra Cricket Association-Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Stadium (ACA-VDCA Stadium), the ground is currently owned by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh.
With a seating capacity of 27,000, the stadium has two tiers which were designed to evade any restricted view seats, removing pillars or columns that come in the field of view of spectators in some of the other stadiums in the country.
The Vizag Cricket Stadium staged its first international match, a 50-over ODI game played between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in April 2005.
It hosted its first T20 international in February 2016 and later its maiden Test a few months later in November.
Since then, the Visakhapatnam stadium has hosted 10 ODIs, two Tests, and four T20 international matches.
Let’s have a closer look at the Vizag Cricket Stadium Test records and stats.
Vizag Cricket Stadium Test records and stats
Highest total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Vizag Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. During the first Test of South Africa’s tour of India in 2019, the Virat Kohli-led hosts posted a huge total of 502/7d after electing to bat first. Mayank Agarwal’s 215 and Rohit Sharma’s 176 helped India register a record Test total at the venue. With the help of their first innings total, India later won the Test by 203 runs.
Lowest total
The England cricket team registered the lowest total at the Vizag Cricket Stadium in Tests. Chasing 405 in the fourth innings, the Alastair Cook-led visitors were bowled out for 158 during the second Test of England’s tour of India in 2016. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jayant Yadav were the standout bowlers for India with three wickets each in England’s second innings. For the tourists, captain Cook top-scored with 54 in their second innings. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India won the match by 246 runs.
Most runs
India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. The right-handed batter has accumulated 303 runs in a solitary Test match at a staggering average of 151.50. Rohit has slammed two hundreds at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. Virat Kohli is second on the list with 299 runs in two Test matches.
Most wickets
India’s star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up the most wickets at the Vizag Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. Between 2016 and 2019, the right-arm off-spinner bagged 16 wickets in two matches at an average of 19.25. He has registered two five-wicket hauls at this venue in Tests. Ashwin’s teammate Ravindra Jadeja features second on the list with nine wickets in two Tests.
Highest individual score
India’s Mayank Agarwal registered the highest individual score at the Vizag Cricket Stadium in Tests. Opening the innings, Mayanka Agarwal scored 215 off 371 balls in the first innings of the opening Test during South Africa’s tour of India in 2019. His scintillating double hundred was laced with 23 fours and six maximums to help India post a record total at the venue.
Best bowling figures in an innings
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in 2019. The right-arm off-spinner registered brilliant figures of 7/145 to help bowl out South Africa for 431 in their first innings. Ashwin dismissed Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn, captain Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada as India took a 72-run lead. The hosts won the Visakhapatnam Test by 203 runs.
Best bowling figures in a match
Ravichandran Ashwin also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Vizag Cricket Stadium. The veteran spinner took eight wickets during the second Test of England’s tour of India in 2016. While Ashwin claimed five wickets for 67 runs in the first innings, he bagged three wickets for 52 runs in the second innings. Ashwin’s magnificent performance helped India win the Test by 246 runs. The hosts later clinched the five-match Test series 4-0.
Highest partnership
India’s Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal recorded the highest partnership at this ground in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal forged a massive 317-run stand for the opening wicket in the first innings of the opening Test against South Africa in 2019. Agarwal slammed 215 while Rohit scored 176. India secured a comprehensive 203-run victory courtesy of their incredible partnership.
Photo credit: Alamy
