Overview

The picturesque ACA-VDCA (Andhra Cricket Association/Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association) ground, set on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam amidst scenic hills, has hosted just one international match so far: the second ODI of the series between India and Pakistan in 2005. But on the evidence of that game, in which over 650 runs were scored, the playing strip is one of the best batting pitches in the country, hard and true and perfect for hitting through the line, as the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni proved while flaying the Pakistan attack on the way to 148. The stadium currently seats 25,000, although there are plans to increase its capacity to 36,000 with the addition of more tiers to the stands. These additions might, however, block the view of the hills and the pleasant breeze allowed into the ground by the low-lying stands, which currently give it a pleasant air far from the hothouse atmosphere of most Indian grounds.
(Chandrahas Choudhury)