Set on the outskirts of the city of Visakhapatnam, amidst scenic hills, ACA-VDCA stadium is the new home for MI. The defending champions will share this stadium with their newly inducted neighbours, the Rising Pune Supergiants.

This is not the first time IPL has come to Vizag. Deccan Chargers played two games in the 2012 edition and came back in 2015 as Sunrisers Hyderabad to play three more matches. The pitch at Vizag is known to be a good batting track but also offers something to the bowlers. The average score batting first in IPL at ACA-VDCA stadium is 160 while it goes down to 132 in the second innings. The winning record for the team batting first is thrice, edging the team chasing by a single victory, which is at odds with the trend of chasing teams coming out victorious so far this IPL.

MI has played once before at Vizag and won that match with a winning knock of 73 runs from 50 balls by the Hitman. Rohit Sharma has even won a game for India at Vizag when he scored 90 off 98 against Windies. The last T20 match at Vizag, was in 2016 when India faced Sri Lanka. India skittled Sri Lanka for 84 runs which is also the lowest score on the ground. R Ashwin ended his night with the figures of 4-8 which was also his career best figures. Harbhajan Singh and Krunal Pandya can take some inspiration from the fact that the pitch offers some purchase to the spinners. Considering the ground size will not be making much difference on the playing style of the team, inflicting changes in the Playing XI is not expected.

Mumbai’s coach Robin Singh said in a previous interview, “As per my knowledge it is a very good batting track which will aid our batsman.” The kind of batting form MI is in; it will be a treat to watch them have a go at the opposition carting them all over the park. Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Parthiv Patel, Jos Buttler, Ambati Rayudu and Krunal Pandya have contributed to the 5 victories. The Bowling strength has already been showcased and the only department where MI fans would want to see an improvement will be the fielding. Dropped catches, miss-fields, casual attempts are the points which Jonty Rhodes has already taken a note of.

MI fans will be looking forward to seeing the defending champions make ACA-VDCA stadium their new fortress for the remaining home matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab.