When ticket sales for the third ODI between India national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team went live for the December 6 match in Visakhapatnam, the early reaction was disappointing. According to officials at the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), the first phase of sales — starting November 28 — saw a “poor response.”
The match seemed to risk being a lacklustre affair, lacking the buzz and excitement typical of an India home ODI.
Kohli’s Back-to-Back Tons: The Game-Changer
Everything changed after Kohli hammered consecutive centuries in the first two ODIs — first in Ranchi and then in Raipur.
News of those innings spread fast. Fans — many eager to witness the star batter at a ground where he has historically thrived — rushed to buy tickets. The result: as ACA media officer Y. Venkatesh revealed, once the second and third phases of ticketing opened, all seats disappeared “in minutes.”
Why Visakhapatnam + Kohli = Sell-Out
- A fortress for Kohli — At the venue (ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam), Kohli already holds the record for most runs in ODIs: 587 runs in seven matches with an incredible average of 97.83. That legacy amplified fan fait
- Timing of form + decider stakes — With the series poised at 1–1, the third ODI had all the makings of a thriller. Kohli’s current form made it look like a must-watch “masterclass in the making.”
- Star power still drives attendance — Despite changing formats, broadcasting ease, and crowded cricket calendars, a single name can reignite the crowd’s enthusiasm. In this case, Kohli’s bat did more than just score runs — it reignited Visakhapatnam’s ODI-day energy.
A Flip in Atmosphere — From Lukewarm to “Kohli-mania”
What was shaping up to be a quiet match day turned into a full-blown spectacle. Fans began gathering at the city’s airport, hoping for a glimpse of the players — especially Kohli — as they landed.
The match suddenly felt like a festival rather than just another fixture. Crowd expectations soared, creating a buzz that went beyond on-field performance: it became about nostalgia, hope, and witnessing a great in his element.
In short: what began as a quietly anticipated match in Visakhapatnam ended up as a sell-out spectacle — all thanks to one man rediscovering his magic at just the right moment. Kohli didn’t just change his own fortunes; he revived an entire matchday experience.
