Vizag Stadium Lucky for Team India? Following yesterday's majestic 9-wicket victory over South Africa, which sealed the ODI series 2-1, the answer is a resounding YES! The ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam once again proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Men in Blue, reaffirming its status as one of the team's most successful home venues.
Decoding India’s Invincibility in Vizag
Team India's record at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is nothing short of phenomenal. Out of the 11 Men's ODIs played here, India has emerged victorious in 8, with Two loss and One tie. This incredible win percentage is why fans and pundits alike call this coastal ground a lucky charm for the squad.
The decisive third ODI against the Proteas perfectly encapsulated the Vizag magic:
1. The Toss Triumph: Breaking the Jinx
Stand-in skipper KL Rahul winning the toss was a massive psychological boost, ending a notorious run of lost tosses for India. This crucial win allowed India to bowl first, a strategy often favored at this venue due to the possibility of dew later in the evening. This move immediately put the Proteas under pressure and showcased the change in fortune this stadium brings.
2. The Bowling Barrage: Spin and Pace Weave Magic
While Vizag is generally batter-friendly, the Indian bowlers successfully exploited the conditions, with both pace and spin finding their rhythm. The pitch offered early assistance to the quicks and just enough turn for the wrist spinners as the match progressed.
The attack was led by the dynamic duo:
Kuldeep Yadav (4/41): The wrist-spinner was lethal through the middle overs, exploiting the turn to dismantle the middle order.
Prasidh Krishna (4/66): The pace bowler delivered critical breakthroughs with his bounce and line, ensuring the Proteas could not build big partnerships.
Together, the pair shared a remarkable eight wickets to bowl South Africa out for a manageable 270. This was a clinical and balanced turnaround for the Indian bowling unit after two previous high-scoring games.
3. Batting Brilliance: A Star is Born
The run chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. The highlight was undoubtedly Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden ODI century (116*). His brilliant, composed innings showed maturity beyond his years and was the anchor for the chase.
Joining him were the stalwarts:
Rohit Sharma (75): Provided a blistering start, setting up a 155-run opening stand and becoming the fourth Indian to cross the 20,000-run mark in international cricket.
Virat Kohli (65):* Played a vintage, blistering knock, tearing into the South African bowling attack to power India to a commanding 9-wicket win with over 10 overs to spare.
🌟 The Unbeatable Combination: Vizag & Indian Legends
The stadium’s lucky aura is intrinsically linked with the stellar performances of Indian cricket legends.
| Player | Vizag ODI Record Highlights |
| Virat Kohli | Averages nearly 98 with 3 centuries in 7 matches. He truly owns this ground. |
| MS Dhoni | Scored a career-defining 148 against Pakistan in 2005, announcing his arrival on the world stage. |
| Rohit Sharma | Has scored a century and two fifties in his last few outings, including a memorable 150 against West Indies. |
Based on the available data before yesterday's match (which was the 11th ODI for India at Vizag):
Matches Played (Pre-Decider): 10
India Won: 7
India Lost: 2
Tied: 1
After yesterday's decisive 9-wicket victory over South Africa, here is the updated record and the powerful winning percentage:
📊 India’s Unbeatable Record at ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag
Following the decisive series win over South Africa, Team India's ODI record at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium stands at an exceptional high.
| Metric | Count | Calculation |
| Total ODIs Played by India | 11 | (7 wins + 2 losses + 1 tie + 1 new win) |
| Matches Won | 8 | (7 previous wins + 1 win vs. SA) |
| Matches Lost | 2 | |
| Matches Tied/No Result | 1 | |
| India's Winning Percentage | 72.72% | (8 Wins / 11 Matches) x 100 |
🤔 FAQs: Vizag Stadium & India's Dominance
Q1: What is Team India's overall ODI record at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag?
A: Team India has a superb record, winning 8 out of 11 men's ODIs played at the venue, with two loss and one tie.
Q2: Why is the ACA-VDCA Stadium considered a 'lucky ground' for India?
A: The stadium's success rate for the Men in Blue is exceptionally high. More importantly, it has been the venue for iconic, career-defining innings like MS Dhoni's 148 and Virat Kohli's consistent excellence, which has solidified its reputation as a good-luck charm.
Q3: Who was the Player of the Match in the India vs South Africa 3rd ODI in Vizag?
A: Young opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding maiden ODI century (116*).
Q4: How did the Vizag pitch play in the 3rd ODI series decider?
A: The pitch was initially good for batting, as evidenced by Quinton de Kock's century. However, as the match progressed, it slowed down and offered turn, which Kuldeep Yadav expertly exploited. The chasing conditions, aided by a lack of significant dew, proved ideal for the Indian batsmen.

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