Vizag Magic: Team India’s Dominant Win and the "Lucky" Streak at ACA-VDCA Stadium - AP Sports - AP Events

 

The "Women in Blue" have done it again! Fresh off their ODI World Cup glory, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team kicked off their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a clinical 8-wicket victory at the iconic ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 21, 2025.

While the players’ skill was on full display, many fans are asking: Is Visakhapatnam becoming the luckiest charm for Indian Cricket? Let’s dive into the match highlights and the "Vizag factor."

1. Match Highlights: Jemimah and Mandhana Shine

Chasing a modest target of 122, India made a statement by finishing the game in just 14.4 overs.

• Jemimah’s Masterclass: Jemimah Rodrigues was the undisputed star, smashing an unbeaten 69 off 44 balls*. Her aggressive yet composed innings earned her the Player of the Match award.

• Mandhana’s Milestone: During her steady 25-run knock, Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to cross 4,000 T20I runs, joining an elite global club.

• Bowling Discipline: Earlier, the bowling unit led by Deepti Sharma and debutant Vaishanavi Sharma (who gave away just 16 runs in 4 overs) restricted Sri Lanka to 121/6, despite a few dropped catches in the field.

2. Why Visakhapatnam is India’s "Lucky" Ground

There is a long-standing belief among cricket fans and experts that the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium is a fortress for Team India. Here is why:

A High Win Percentage

Historically, India enjoys a success rate of over 70-80% at this venue across all formats. 

The Batting Paradise

The Vizag pitch is world-renowned for being a "batter’s dream." The even bounce and fast outfield allow stroke-makers like Mandhana and Jemimah to play their natural game. When the ball comes onto the bat so well, India’s deep batting lineup becomes almost unstoppable.

The Spirit of the City

After the recent win, the team was seen visiting the Simhachalam Temple to seek blessings. The combination of spiritual energy, a vocally supportive Vizag crowd, and favorable humid conditions (which help Indian spinners) creates a home-ground advantage that few other teams can match.

FAQs:

Q1: Who won the Player of the Match in the recent Vizag T20I? 

Jemimah Rodrigues was named Player of the Match for her brilliant 69* off 44 deliveries.

Q2: What major milestone did Smriti Mandhana achieve at Visakhapatnam? 

She became the first Indian woman and only the second player in history (after Suzie Bates) to reach 4,000 runs in T20 International cricket.

Q3: Is the Vizag stadium better for batting or bowling? 

The ACA-VDCA stadium is generally considered a batting-friendly pitch with a fast outfield. However, it also offers significant help to spinners, especially as the match progresses and dew sets in.

Q4: Why is it called a "lucky" stadium for India? 

Statistically, India has won the vast majority of their matches here across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Iconic moments, like MS Dhoni’s first century (148 vs Pakistan), also happened at this ground.