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| M.A. Chidambaram Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Name | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium |
| Nickname | Chepauk |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Broke ground | 1916 |
| Opened | 1916 |
| Renovated | 2004, 2010, 2019 |
| Owner | Chepauk Cricket Club |
| Operator | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association |
| Capacity | 50,000 |
| Tenants | India national cricket team, Tamil Nadu cricket team, Chennai Super Kings |
M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is an international cricket venue in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, known for hosting Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Indian Premier League fixtures. The stadium has been associated with notable figures such as M. A. Chidambaram, institutions like the Madras Cricket Club and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, and events including contests between India national cricket team and touring sides such as Australia national cricket team and England cricket team. Its location in the historic Chepauk neighborhood places it near landmarks like the Fort St. George and the Marina Beach.
The stadium traces roots to the early 20th century with ties to the Madras Presidency era, the establishment of the Madras Cricket Club, and patronage by industrialists like M. A. Chidambaram. It has hosted iconic series involving the West Indies cricket team, Pakistan national cricket team, and South Africa national cricket team, and witnessed performances by cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble, and Sunil Gavaskar. The ground has been a venue for domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and for club competitions involving the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Over decades the stadium has been administered by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and influenced by regional politics involving the Government of Tamil Nadu and civic bodies in Chennai.
The stadium’s stands, pavilions, and dressing rooms reflect architectural interventions linked to firms and engineers engaged during renovations in the early 21st century, influenced by designs seen at venues such as Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, and M. A. Chidambaram Stadium's contemporaries in Mumbai and Kolkata. Facilities include modern media centers used by broadcasters like Star Sports, commentary boxes frequented by commentators from All India Radio and BBC Sport, corporate boxes for sponsors such as TVS Motor Company, and hospitality suites used by delegations from BCCI and visiting boards. Support infrastructure links to nearby institutions including University of Madras and transport hubs like Chennai Central railway station.
The pitch at the venue traditionally favors spin bowlers, producing assistance for wrist spinners and finger spinners seen in performances by Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, and Shane Warne; fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Glenn McGrath have adapted to variable bounce and reverse-swing in selected matches. The outfield and soil composition have been managed with techniques used by groundsmen trained under consultancy from experts associated with Marylebone Cricket Club and grounds teams experienced at Lord's and The Oval. Climate effects from the Bay of Bengal and the tropical monsoon patterns influence match scheduling alongside drainage systems comparable to those at Adelaide Oval and Sydney Cricket Ground.
The stadium has hosted marquee Tests such as India versus Australia national cricket team series, decisive ODIs in tournaments featuring Sri Lanka national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team, and IPL finals involving Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. It staged historic moments including match-winning knocks by Virat Kohli, record partnerships involving Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, and remarkable bowling spells by Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath. The venue has also accommodated men's and women's international fixtures under International Cricket Council scheduling and been used for national ceremonies featuring dignitaries from the President of India’s office and state leaders.
Statistical highlights include Test centuries compiled by C. K. Nayudu-era successors through modern icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, and bowling records set by Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin. The ground has produced notable team totals in ODIs and IPL seasons with players from franchises such as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians registering high scores. Attendance records have involved partnerships between the BCCI, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, and corporate sponsors like Bajaj and Sahara India during sold-out matches.
Major redevelopment phases occurred prior to the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup era with interventions similar to upgrades at Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens, improving floodlight installations, seating, corporate facilities, and player amenities. Renovation projects have been overseen by consultants with experience at international venues and coordinated with municipal authorities in Chennai and contractors from firms linked to the National Buildings Organisation. Recent developments incorporated modern broadcast infrastructure for broadcasters like ESPNcricinfo partners and compliance with standards set by the ICC for international fixtures.
The stadium is accessible via road corridors connecting to Anna Salai, rail links through Chennai Central railway station and Chennai Egmore railway station, and nearest metro access on lines developed by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Proximity to Chennai International Airport facilitates travel for international teams and officials from federations such as the International Cricket Council and visiting boards like the England and Wales Cricket Board. Local transport services including buses operated by Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) and taxi services coordinate with event management teams from the Tamil Nadu Police for crowd movement.
Category:Cricket grounds in India