Vizag to Host Two Delhi Capitals Matches in IPL 2025: BCCI Retains Venue as Second Home for Franchise
With the anticipation building around the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 schedule, it has been confirmed that Visakhapatnam (Vizag) will host two Delhi Capitals matches at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. This development marks Vizag’s continued presence as an IPL venue, following its successful staging of matches in the previous season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to retain Vizag as Delhi Capitals’ second home ground, a role it played last year. While the exact dates and opponents for these matches are yet to be finalized, it is certain that Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign in the coastal city. The official IPL 2025 schedule is expected to be released by the BCCI on Monday.
Visakhapatnam Among Three Non-Regular IPL Venues in 2025
In addition to Vizag, two other non-regular venues—Guwahati and Dharamsala—will host matches in IPL 2025.
- Guwahati (Assam): The city will serve as the second home for Rajasthan Royals (RR), who will play two matches at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium against Kolkata Knight Riders (March 26) and Chennai Super Kings (March 30).
- Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh): The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have chosen the picturesque venue as their second home, where they are expected to play three fixtures against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The inclusion of these venues in IPL 2025 underscores the league’s commitment to expanding its footprint beyond traditional centers, providing fans in these regions with first-hand access to high-profile T20 action.
Delhi Capitals’ Captaincy Conundrum: Axar Patel or KL Rahul?
Delhi Capitals are yet to officially announce their captain for IPL 2025, following the departure of Rishabh Pant to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL auction. There is growing speculation that Axar Patel could be named captain, having been one of the four players retained by the franchise.
However, the franchise also has the option to consider KL Rahul, a seasoned IPL captain, who has previously led Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and the Indian national team. The final decision on captaincy is expected before the tournament begins.
IPL 2025 Opening Match and Season Structure
As previously reported by Cricbuzz, IPL 2025 will commence with a high-profile clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22.
- The second match of the season will see SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 23 afternoon in Hyderabad.
- The season will conclude on May 25, with Eden Gardens hosting the IPL 2025 final.
The retention of non-regular venues such as Vizag, Guwahati, and Dharamsala aligns with the BCCI’s long-term vision of decentralizing IPL matches and ensuring that multiple regions benefit from the tournament’s widespread appeal.
