Delightful year for Andhra cricket fans

From the Indian Premier League (IPL) to International matches , 2025 turned out to be a dream come true for cricket lovers in Andhra, as the region witnessed continuous cricketing action. Between December 2025 and January 2026, four international matches have been scheduled at the scenic Dr YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium, with star players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma visiting the city.

It all began early 2025, when a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) team visited the stadium proposing IPL matches, when the venue lacked amenities. Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) president Kesineni Sivanath and secretary Satish Babu in a record span of less than a month, helped the stadium undergo a complete makeover.

“Right from air-conditioning, new commentary boxes, modern dressing rooms for players, upgraded floodlights, comprehensive broadcasting facilities, high-end lifts, brand-new toilets, the stadium was upgraded,” said ACA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Girish Dongre.

According to Mr Girish, “International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah and former BCCI President Roger Binny also appreciated the facilities.”

After the successful conduct of the IPL, Vizag was chosen as one of the five host cities for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. The city hosted five World Cup matches, including two involving India. The city is also hosting an ODI between India and South Africa. It will also host two Women’s T20 Internationals between India and Sri Lanka on December 21 and 23, and a Men’s T20 International between India and New Zealand on January 26, 2026.

Significant developments also took place in the domestic cricket and the Andhra Premier League (APL). For the first time, the Andhra Ranji team appointed an international coach, Gary Stead, former coach of New Zealand.

“We changed the entire branding for the Andhra Premier league. The number of teams, matches and prize money was increased to offer players additional opportunities to showcase their abilities,” he said. The next edition of the APL will be expanded into a multi-city tournament, reaching Kadapa and Mangalagiri, he added.

Mr Girish said: “The ACA is planning to transform the Vizianagaram Stadium into a high-performance centre equipped with a swimming pool, gym and all essential facilities for players. In addition, we will set up a high-class gym at the Visakhapatnam stadium and improve facilities, including floodlights, at the Mangalagiri stadium.”