As the IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) progresses, the people in India are already enamored with T20 cricket. On Monday, March 24, the Delhi Capitals (DC), a franchise, will play the Lucknow Super Giants at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) to begin their campaign. The fact that the Capitals will be playing at their secondary home ground makes the next IPL match a momentous occasion.
Delhi, led by Axar Patel, will try to get off to a good start with some old players wearing new uniforms, like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who have switched teams. After DC’s lackluster IPL season the previous year, fans will be hoping for an exciting start in the stunning city.
Curiously, the Delhi Capitals team management did not provide an explanation for their decision to play in Vizag in 2025. Nonetheless, fans continue to wonder why DC will play some home games away from home. Let’s inquire!
IPL vs WPL venue dilemma
Delhi Capitals chose Visakhapatnam as their second home ground primarily due to scheduling conflicts with their original home ground, Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi. Notably, during the IPL 2024 season, the venue was set to host the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) final, which overlapped with the early stages of the IPL season.
Due to this unavailability, the franchise was forced to find an alternative venue where the team could play its home matches without disruption. As a result, Visakhapatnam emerged as a suitable option without causing logistical issues.
World-Class facilities of venue
The Delhi franchise chose the ACA-VDCA Stadium mainly due to its top-notch facilities for hosting high-profile cricket matches. This ensured that the facilities were not only good for players but also for spectators. The Vizag stadium boasts a seating capacity of 30,000, and a slightly smaller crowd means fans will be more intensely involved in the game while backing their favourite IPL franchise.
Furthermore, the pitch and playing conditions are conducive to entertaining T20 cricket, ensuring an even contest between bat and ball. This decision guarantees that fans will witness and experience top-quality cricket during Delhi’s home matches. So far, Vizag has hosted 15 IPL matches, out of which two games were played during the 2023-2024 span. Moreover, out of these fixtures, DC have played 7 matches at this fantastic venue.
Fan base expansion
Interestingly, by playing in Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals also have a strategic motive in mind. By adopting a new home ground, DC aims to expand its fan base in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, the league has promoted cricket across lesser-known regions in India by scheduling matches in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Utilizing this beautiful city as their new home aligns with Delhi’s vision of promoting the sport across India. Moreover, this move will help DC foster local fan support, increase engagement, and build loyalty among fans who have yet to experience a live IPL match. Ultimately, this will enhance the franchise’s branding.
Conclusion
In summary, the aforementioned considerations led to the strategic choice of the Delhi Capitals to choose Visakhapatnam their new home. The move is also a step toward growing their fan base in new Indian regions.
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