India vs England, 1st ODI: VCA Stadium pitch report, stats
What's the story
The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur will host the first match of the three-match ODI series between India and England on February 6. This will be the first international match at this venue since the one in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The VCA stadium, which accommodate up to 45,000 spectators, is famous for its spin-friendly wicket. Here are further details.
Pitch analysis
VCA Stadium offers spin-friendly pitch
Traditionally, the pitch at the VCA Stadium is spin-friendly. However, in white-ball cricket, it can also lead to high-scoring matches owing to a few cracks on the deck. The team that negotiates the middle overs well will have an edge going by ODI trends. Even a target of 300-plus runs is deemed achievable for teams chasing here.
Past records
VCA Stadium has hosted nine ODIs
The VCA Stadium has hosted nine ODIs between 2009 and 2019, with the average first innings score being 288 runs. As per ESPNcricinfo, three matches were won by teams batting first, while six were clinched by those chasing. The venue last hosted an ODI in 2019 when Australia toured India. In a nail-biting match, India set a target of 250 runs with a significant ton from Virat Kohli (116). India narrowly won by eight runs.
Score records
Highest and lowest team scores at VCA Stadium
India's 354/7 against Australia in 2009 remains the highest team score at the VCA Stadium in ODI cricket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (124), Suresh Raina (62), and Gautam Gambhir (76) were instrumental for India in that match. Australia were later bowled out for 255. Meanwhile, the lowest team score is 123 runs by Canada against Zimbabwe in their World Cup clash in 2011.
Player achievements
Individual records and top performers
George Bailey's 156 runs against India from 2013 remians the highest individual score at the VCA Stadium in ODIs. Dale Steyn has the best bowling figures at the venue, having taken five wickets for 50 runs against India in their World Cup match in 2011. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has scored most runs (325) in ODIs here, while Mitchell Johnson leads with nine wickets from three matches.