M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as the Chepauk, is a cricket stadium in Chepauk, Chennai. It is named after former BCCI president M. A. Chidambaram, and is operated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. It was established in 1916 and is the second oldest international cricket stadium in the country that is still in use after the Eden Gardens.
| Chepauk | |||||||||||||
 Panorama of the stadium in 2023 | |||||||||||||
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| Ground information | |||||||||||||
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| Location | Chepauk, Chennai, India | ||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 13°03′46″N 80°16′46″E / 13.06278°N 80.27944°E | ||||||||||||
| Establishment | 1916 | ||||||||||||
| Capacity | 38,200[1] | ||||||||||||
| Architect | East Coast Constructions[2] Hopkins Architects[3] | ||||||||||||
| Operator | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association | ||||||||||||
| End names | |||||||||||||
| V. Pattabhiraman Gate End Anna Pavilion End | |||||||||||||
| International information | |||||||||||||
| First Test | 10–13 February 1934: India v  England | ||||||||||||
| Last Test | 19–23 September 2024: India v  Bangladesh | ||||||||||||
| First ODI | 9 October 1987: India v  Australia | ||||||||||||
| Last ODI | 27 October 2023: Pakistan v  South Africa | ||||||||||||
| First T20I | 11 September 2012: India v  New Zealand | ||||||||||||
| Last T20I | 11 November 2018: India v  West Indies | ||||||||||||
| First women's Test | 7–9 November 1976: India v West Indies | ||||||||||||
| Last women's Test | 28 June – 1 July 2024: India v South Africa | ||||||||||||
| First WODI | 23 February 1984: India v Australia | ||||||||||||
| Last WODI | 7 March 2007: Australia v New Zealand | ||||||||||||
| First WT20I | 23 March 2016: South Africa v  Ireland | ||||||||||||
| Last WT20I | 9 July 2024: India v South Africa | ||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||
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| As of 1 October 2024 Source: ESPNcricinfo | |||||||||||||
It hosts matches of the Indian cricket team and the Indian women's cricket team apart from matches during major international cricketing events. It serves as the home ground of the Tamil Nadu cricket team and Tamil Nadu women's cricket team for domestic matches. The Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings plays its home matches at the stadium and the venue hosted the finals of the IPL in 2011, 2012, and 2024. It is also used as a venue for the Tamil Nadu Premier League.
Chepauk hosted its first cricket test match in February 1934 during England's tour of India. It subsequently hosted the first match of the inaugural Ranji Trophy in November of the same year. The India cricket team recorded its first test victory in 1952 against England at the venue. The venue was the host of the second ever tied test match in the history of the game during Australia's tour in 1986.
The Indian women's team played their second ever women's test in November 1976 against West Indies at Chepauk. The stadium hosted its first one day international match between India and Australia during the 1987 Cricket World Cup. It subsequently served as one of the venues when India hosted the World Cup in 1996, 2011, 2023, and the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup. As of October 2024[update], the ground has hosted more than 80 international cricket matches.
History
editEarly years
editIn 1846, a cricket ground designed by Henry Irwin was established by Alexander Arbuthnot in the Chepauk palace grounds.[4][5] In 1859, the Madras Presidency acquired the Chepauk palace from the Nawab of Carnatic. In 1865, a new pavilion was constructed and it became the home of the Madras Cricket Club (MCC).[4][6] The original Chisholm pavilion located in the southwestern corner of the ground was badly damaged in a cyclone in 1889, and a new pavilion was constructed to replace the same in 1892. The new Irwin pavilion was built in Anglo-Indian architecture.[6] The venue hosted a match between the touring Europeans versus the Indians Presidency in 1908.[7] The stadium was formally established in 1916, when the presidency matches were planned as an annual event.[5][7][8]
International venue
editChepauk hosted its first cricket test match in February 1934 during England's tour of India which was won by England.[9] It is the second oldest international cricket stadium in India that is still in use after the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.[10] It subsequently hosted the first match of the inaugural Ranji Trophy between Madras and Mysore in November of the same year.[8][10][11] In 1946, first attempts were made to build a larger stadium by Anthony De Mello, which was accepted by the MCC subject to the approval of the Indian government.[7] The stadium played host to the fifth test of the series when England toured India in 1951-52. In February 1952, India recorded its first ever test win when it beat England by an innings and 8 runs.[8][12]
When M. A. Chidambaram became the president of the Madras Cricket Association (MCA) in 1956, the association wanted to occupy the ground on a permanent basis. However, the MCC was reluctant to loan the use of the ground, fearing that regular use would lead to deterioration of the facilities. Hence, after India's first test victory in 1952, test matches in Madras were hosted at the corporation stadium till January 1967.[7] When the 30-year lease of the stadium held by the MCC ended in 1966, the MCA obtained the least from the Madras government.[13]
Permanent structure and renaming
editThe MCA changed its name to Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) after the state was renamed from Madras State to Tamil Nadu. The TNCA wanted to build a permanent structure as the stadium still hosted matches with temporary stands and the foundation stone for the new stadium structure was laid in 1971.[13] The Government of Tamil Nadu gave ₹1.5 million (US$18,000) with Chidambaram donating a similar amount from his personal wealth and the Madras Race Club donated ₹0.5 million (US$6,000). The remaining amount of ₹14 million (US$170,000) was loaned by the banks. The construction was completed in 1981.[13]
Beginning in the late 1960s till the late 1980s, the stadium hosted a Test match in the second week of January which was termed the Pongal Test, as it coincided with the Pongal harvest festival.[14] The Indian women's team played their second ever women's test in November 1976 against West Indies at Chepauk.[15] The stadium was renamed from Madras Cricket Club Ground to M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in 1986. [10][13] The venue was the host of the second ever tied test match in the history of the game during Australia's tour in 1986.[8][10] The stadium hosted its first one day international match between India and Australia during the 1987 Cricket World Cup.[7] It further hosted matches during the subsequent 1996 Cricket World Cup and 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup.[16]
Major venue and further upgrades
editA major reconstruction work was undertaken at the cost of ₹1.75 billion (US$21 million) in 2010 ahead of the 2011 Cricket World Cup.[17][18] The plan consisted of constructing three new reinforced concrete stands which would accommodate an additional 12,000 spectators and the addition of 24 hospitality boxes.[19] The renovation also included the construction of new translucent PTFE roofs to replace the old roofs supported by pillars that blocked the view of spectators and redesigning of the stands at a gradient of 36°, which would let the sea breeze to get into the ground.[20][21] The stadium hosted four matches during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, which was won by India.[16]
On 31 March 2015, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the renovation violated regulations relating to public safety.[22][23] The court further ruled that the parts of the renovation which violate the regulations must be demolished and ordered the new stands to be sealed then.[24][25] The stands remained sealed as the MCC gymnasium had to be demolished to adhere to the safety regulations laid down by the Greater Chennai Corporation and the MCC was reluctant to do so. After the lease agreement between the government and TNCA ended in 2016, the agreement was renewed in 2019 for a period of 21 years with revised conditions.[26][27] The stands were finally de-sealed and opened in March 2020.[27]
Further renovation works were planned in 2021-22 ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. In December 2021, the old Anna pavilion, some of the stands and the MCC clubhouse were demolished to make way for a new pavilion and new stands.[28] The demolition temporarily reduced the capacity to 31,140.[29] The renovations were done at a cost of ₹1.39 billion (US$17 million) and after the completion, the permanent seating capacity of the stadium was 38,000.[28][30][31] The new stand which housed the Anna Pavilion was named after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and was inaugurated on 17 March 2023.[32] The stadium hosted five matches during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.[16]
Location and access
editThe stadium is located close to the Marina Beach and can be accessed from Wallajah Road in the north, Bells Road in the west, and Victoria Hostel Road parallel to the Buckingham Canal in the east.[33] The Chennai MRTS line abuts the stadium and the Chepauk MRTS Railway Station is located to the south-east.[33][34] The nearest station of the Chennai Metro is the Government Estate station.[34]
Notable records
edit- The stadium was one of the venues of India's first ever home series against England in 1934.[8][10]
- The first match of the inaugural Ranji Trophy was held on 4 November 1934 between Madras and Mysore at Chepauk.[8][10][35]
- India recorded their first Test victory against England at Chepauk in February 1952.[8][36]
- The second ever Tied Test in cricket history was played here between India and Australia in 1986.[8][10][37]
- Sunil Gavaskar scored his 30th test match century against West Indies in 1983 breaking then record for most centuries in Test cricket held by Don Bradman.[38]
- Narendra Hirwani took 8 wickets for 61 runs against the West Indies in January 1988, which are the best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut and the third best overall.[39] His match figures of 16 wickets for 136 runs in the match are a record for any bowler on debut.[40]
- Saeed Anwar of Pakistan scored 194 against India in 1997, then the highest individual score in ODIs.[41][42]
- On 15 October 2004, Shane Warne surpassed Muttiah Muralitharan's tally of 532 Test wickets to become the highest wicket taker during the time.[43]
- Virender Sehwag scored 319 runs of 278 balls against South Africa in the home series in April 2008, the fastest triple century in Test history. He also became only the third batsman after Bradman and Brian Lara to score two triple centuries in Test Cricket. He scored 257 runs the third day of the match, which was the most runs scored by an individual batsman on a single day of a Test match since 1954. Rahul Dravid completed 10,000 Test runs in the same match.[44]
- Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most Test runs of any other venue in India in Chepauk with 876 runs in nine Tests at an average of 87.60.[45]
- India's scored 387/4 in the fourth innings of the first Test against England in December 2008, which is the second highest successful run chase for India in Test cricket.[46]
- M S Dhoni scored 224 in the first test of the 2012–13 Border–Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on 24 February 2013. He became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a double century in Test cricket.[47]
- India scored 759 runs in their first innings of the fifth test against England in the home series in December 2016 with Karun Nair scoring 303 not out. This was India's highest team total in Test cricket and Nair became the second Indian after Sehwag to score a triple century.[48][49]
- Joe Root scored 218 runs in the first test against India in their away series in February 2021, which was the highest score by an English cricketer in India, and also the highest score in the 100th Test of any individual.[50]
Statistics
editOverall
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Individual
edit
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Cricket World Cup
editThis stadium has hosted 12 men's one-day matches across four Cricket World Cups and a single WODI match during the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup.[16][61]
1987 Cricket World Cup
edit 9 October 1987
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13 October 1987
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v
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1996 Cricket World Cup
edit 11 March 1996
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1997 Women's Cricket World Cup
edit2011 Cricket World Cup
edit 20 February 2011
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v
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6 March 2011
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v
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2023 Cricket World Cup
edit 23 October 2023
14:00 (D/N) |
v
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- Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
- This was Afghanistan's first win against Pakistan in international cricket.[62]
27 October 2023
14:00 (D/N) |
v
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- Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
- Usama Mir (Pak) replaced Shadab Khan as a concussion substitute during the second innings of the match.[63]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Cricket Venues and Grounds". Board of Control for Cricket in India. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Know about Chepauk stadium named after M. A. Chidambaram". India.com. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Construction Begins at Chennai". Hopkins Architects. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ a b "The Madras that was". Frontline. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Those Were The Days: The day Chepauk spun India into cricket history". DT next. 20 October 2019. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b V., Ramnarayan (26 May 2012). "An MCC of our own". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Menon, Suresh. "Indian cricket's spiritual home". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "M. A. Chidambaram Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "England vs India, third test, 1933-34". Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "M. A. Chidamabaram Stadium". International Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Madras v Mysore, November 5, 1934". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "India vs England, 5th Test at Chennai, Feb 06 1952 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "M.A. Chidambaram and his stadium for cricket". The Hindu. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Pongal Test – The history of India's own Boxing Day cricket match". The Bridge. 13 January 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "2nd Test, Chennai, November 07 - 09, 1976, West Indies Women tour of India". ESPncricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "World Cup matches at Cheupak". Cricket Archive. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "N Srinivasan unanimously elected TNCA President". Zee News. 28 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Upgradation and modernisation of M.A.Chidambaram Stadium". Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "New Chepauk stands ready for Pakistan ODI". The Times of India. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ "2023 ODI World Cup venues: Chepauk Stadium — capacity, pitch info and areas that need attention". Sportstar. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Dinakar, S. (16 February 2011). "Chepauk's new innings". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Demolish unauthorised construction in MA Chidambaram stadium says SC". IBN Live. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Supreme court orders TN to demolish three cheupak stadiums". The Hindustan Times. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Demolish unauthorised construction at Chepauk says SC". Zee news. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Chepauk waits for planning permissions". The Hindu. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "TNCA owes government Rs 2,081 crore rent for Chepauk stadium". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Three stands de-sealed and opened in Chepauk". Cricbuzz. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b Kumar, C Santhosh (25 November 2021). "Renovated Chepauk stadium likely to be ready for new season". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Sundaram, Ram (17 March 2022). "Chepauk Stadium Expansion Plan Gets Green Nod; 5k Seats To Be Added". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Renovated Chepauk stadium getting ready to be opened on March 17". The New Indian Express. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Chauhan, Anukul (10 March 2023). "Ahead of IND vs AUS Chennai ODI, CSK skipper MS Dhoni & Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin to inaugurate new stand at MA Chidambaram Stadium named after M Karunanidhi". InsideSport. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ a b "M. A. Chidambaram Stadium". Indian Premier League. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b "ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: A complete guide for travellers and fans in Chennai". The Hindustan Times. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Scorecard, Madras v Mysore". Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ "England in India, 1951–52". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2006.
- ^ "Where history is made". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "When Gavaskar upstaged Bradman". Deccan Chronicle. 28 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ "Records / Test matches / Bowling records / Best figures in a innings on debut". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Records / Test matches / Bowling records / Best figures in a match on debut". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Sachin becomes first batsman to score 200 in an ODI". The Times of India. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
- ^ "Sachin break Anwar's Record". Cricketworld4u.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
- ^ "Warnes' glory but India's day". The Guardian. 16 October 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "The day the records tumbled". ESPNcricinfo. 17 April 2008. Archived from the original on 24 December 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ "India v England, 1st Test, Chennai, 5th day: A fourth-innings special". ESPNcricinfo. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
- ^ "India to Australia: Highest successful run chase in Test cricket history". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Top 6 Indian wicket-keepers with most centuries in test cricket". mykhel. 19 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Highest totals in Tests". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Triple hundreds in career". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Ind vs Eng: Joe Root scores 200 in 100th Test, breaks multiple records". Sportstar. 6 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "Statistics / Test matches / Results records / MA Chidambaram". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Statistics / ODI / Results records / MA Chidambaram". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Statistics / T20I / Results records / MA Chidambaram". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "List of match results (by season) in WTESTs at IND: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Result summary in WODIs at IND: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "List of match results (by season) in WT20Is at IND: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Statistics / Test matches / Batting records / MA Chidambaram / Runs scored". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Statistics / Test matches / Batting records / MA Chidambaram Stadium / Runs scored in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Statistics / Test matches / Bowling records / MA Chidambaram / Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Best bowling figures in an innings in Tests at IND: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "2nd Semi-Final, Chennai, December 26, 1997, Hero Honda Women's World Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "PAK vs AFG, World Cup 2023: Afghanistan chase down 283 to register first-ever ODI win over Pakistan". India Today. 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
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