Ask any cricket lover in Vizag about his favourite cricket memory, and nine out of 10 would say former Indian cricket team captain M.S. Dhoni’s famous knock of 148 against Pakistan in 2005. Since then, Vizagites proudly owned Dhoni as their local boy and the scenic Dr. YSR ACA VDCA Stadium as one of his most treasured grounds. The match introduced Dhoni to the cricket world and what he can do in team India.
When it is about cricket in Vizag, former Director of Centre for Policy Studies and ex-commentator A. Prasanna Kumar recalls the journey of Colonel C.K. Nayudu, who played a pivotal role in bringing cricket to Andhra.
C.K. Nayudu was India’s first Test captain when India played against England at Lord’s in 1932. Twenty-one years later, Nayudu came to Guntur and founded the Andhra Cricket Association. He also led the Andhra Cricket team to its first Ranji trophy in 1953-54.
Mr. Prasanna Kumar remembers the formation of the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association (VDCA) in 1962 by the former Superintendent of Police, late C.G. Saldanha. He was assisted by Secretary A. Radhakrishna, and got the then Governor of Andhra Pradesh, General Srinagesh.
The International Cricket
It all began with Sir Vivian Richards leading West Indies XI in a three-day match against Board President’s XI in the ‘first international match’ played in Vizag, in 1987, at the Indira Priyadarshini Municipal Corporation Stadium, which is also called Municipal Stadium at One Town, he says.
“Cricket lovers of the city and the neighbouring areas had the pleasure of watching Viv Richards in action though he scored only 6 runs and took a wicket as the WI overpowered the home side in less than three years,” he recalls.
The first One Day International match was played in December 1988, when India clashed with New Zealand. It was Dilip Vengsarkar who led India to victory.
Vizag also has a history of Sachin Tendulkar making his debut as captain against an international side when he led the Rest of India against Mike Atherton’s England XI in February 1993. Sachin, then only 19, and Sanjay Manjrekar delighted the home crowd with their stroke play. The coastal city hosted its second ODI between India and West Indies in 1994.
The third ODI was a moment to celebrate as Vizag got an opportunity to host a World Cup match between Australia and Kenya on February 23, 1996. This was the only WC match played in the coastal city across all formats to date. It was termed as a historic occasion, as three continents came together for a cricket match.
In 1998, Vizag also hosted a three-day match between the Board President’s XI led by Rahul Dravid and Australia. The fifth ODI was held in April 2001 between Australia and India.
“We used to rely on newspapers, radio, and TV for the announcements of matches. There was no social media, and it was a completely different world. Getting tickets for an International cricket match was considered a ‘Mission impossible’ task. Still, my father used his contacts with Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), now Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), to get me a ticket for ODI between India and Australia,” K. Jagadeeswara Naidu, a bank employee from city, recalls. He was 25 then.
“All roads led to One Town. There was huge traffic, and to avoid it, we had to walk from Jagadamba Junction. The atmosphere was electric in the stadium. The security used to allow charts and flexies on which we had expressed love for Sachin. There were a number of fans for Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, too. Australia outplayed us, with Mathew Hayden and Ricky Ponting scoring tons. However, Sachin’s knock of 62 in 38 balls has enthralled us. Watching him smash McGrath and other Aussies bowlers, spectators in the stadium felt that he would replicate 1998’s Sharjah’s innings,” he recollects.
Football dominance
While cricket was gradually gaining attention in the North Andhra districts, there was a large section of people turning out to watch football matches. A number of youth, sports enthusiasts used to express interest over football.
Former national football player, Mr. Bhaskar Rao recalls that football, certainly not cricket used to be one of the most sought after sport in Vizag.
“Soccer had made a mark among the youth, all thanks to the spirit in West Bengal, the Mecca of Indian football. The Railway Grounds and Gymkhana Grounds used to host the national football tournaments, which the clubs from various States, including West Bengal, used to attend. People from Vizag outskirts and even neighbouring districts used to arrive at the grounds on bullock-carts and watch the matches. The ticket price was around ₹2 and the demand for it was huge,” he says.
He also opined, “Lack of infrastructure, stadiums and proper support with sports quota jobs is the reason behind soccer fading out.”
Mr. Bhaskar Rao also observed, “People loved that hard-hitting of the ball, and that drew many sports lovers towards cricket. In some cricket playing countries, they love to bowl. They generate bowlers. But in India, people are attracted to batting, especially the power-hitting. Sachin’s innings in Sharjah against Australia was nicknamed the ‘desert storm’. What Dhoni did to Pakistan in Vizag in 2005 and what most people love about Indian Premier League is power hitting.”
Rise of the new stadium
When the Indira Priyadarshini Stadium was giving countless memories, ACA had extended its support to the VDCA, which led to the setting up of the beautiful Dr. YSR ACA VDCA Stadium at PM Palem, which was considered as city outskirts.
The first ODI at the newly built PM Palem stadium was none other than between India and Pakistan in 2005, in which Dhoni announced his arrival with a blistering knock.
The year 2016 was a memorable year in the history of Vizag cricket. Vizag received the Test status and hosted its first Test match between India and England in November 2016. In February of the same year, Vizag hosted its first Twenty-20 between India and Sri Lanka. Till date, Vizag has hosted three T20s and three Tests.
The IPL
Though there is no IPL home team for Andhra Pradesh, many IPL franchises have made Vizag their second home. Before the State bifurcation, Deccan Chargers used to play some matches in Vizag. A decade ago, Sunrisers Hyderabad also used Vizag as its home ground.
In 2016, Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants made Vizag their second home ground. The scenic stadium has also hosted Qualifiers and Eliminator of the IPL in 2019.
Almost five years later, IPL made a return to Vizag in 2024, when Delhi Capitals opted to play two matches in Vizag. The team will continue to play two inaugural matches this season too.
Players’ favourite
Visakhapatnam has been a favourite for many cricketers. Dhoni, who announced his arrival with a blistering knock of 148 against Pakistan, has mentioned his love for the cricket experience he had in the coastal city.
Every time he arrives in Vizag, cricket lovers go bonkers in anticipation of catching a glimpse of him. Even in the recently held IPL season 2024, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain has put up a show with 37 runs off just 16 balls. Spectators felt that Dhoni has turned the clock back.
Every stadium turns into his fortress when Virat Kohli plays. However, Virat has a special place for Vizag. In 2010, Virat, who played his first ODI in Vizag, scored a ton and was adjudged man of the match. In the second match in 2011, when Virat played his second ODI in Vizag against WI, he led India to victory, scoring 117. When Vizag hosted its first Test match in November 2016, Virat Kohli has scored 167 and 81 in the two innings and also received man of the match.
Many stalwarts and young blood
Mr. Prasanna Kumar observed that the birth of ACA was a historic event in Andhra sport.
C.K. Nayudu and C.S. Nayudu, two famous Andhra cricketers, along with Mushtaq Ali, came to Guntur and played a festival match marking the inaugural of ACA in 1953. C.K. Nayudu led the first Andhra side in the Ranji Trophy against Mysore.
He remembers Vizag’s G.S.N. Raju, who scored the first century for Andhra University in Inter-University Cricket.
Cricketer Gopanna was remembered for his aggressive batting approach, while K.V.R. Murthy, who played for three States in the Ranji Trophy, was among the Test probables in the early 60s.
Bhavana was another popular all-rounder. He also said that Andhra Cricket’s finest hour was when K.B.R. Murthy led Andhra to the top of the table in South Zone cricket in 1985, and M.S.K. Prasad, the wicketkeeper, made it to the National side in 1999.
Venugopal Rao also made his mark on the International side in 2005. Young K.S. Bharat, the wicketkeeper batsman from Visakhapatnam, has represented India in the Tests and has also played World Test Championship Final against Australia in the year 2023. The latest sensation, Nitish Kumar Reddy, after showcasing his talent in the IPL in 2024 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, earned a maiden call-up to the India T20 team and Test team. His Test ton at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the recently held Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) earned laurels from the cricketing world.
A number of cricketers from Visakhapatnam and North Andhra have been working hard to make it to Nationals. Among them include Avinash Pyla from Vizag, who was selected by Punjab Kings, while Tripurana Vijay, a 22-year-old youth from Srikakulam, was picked up by Delhi Capitals during the recently held IPL auction.
Members of the ACA led by president Kesineni Sivanadh (Chinni) have been making efforts to strengthen cricket in the state. Besides improving infrastructure and amenities to the players, the ACA is also mulling to set up Centres of Excellence in the lines of BCCI.
“Number of development works are being taken up besides providing amenities to the players to give them best atmosphere across various parts of the state. Steps are also being initiated to strengthen domestic cricket both in Mens and Women category,” said ACA Secretary S. Satish
Published – February 22, 2025 08:45 am IST
