M. A. Chidambaram Stadium facts for kids

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M. A. Chidambaram Stadium

Chepauk Stadium
Chidambaram Stadium during 2023 Indian Premier League
Ground information
Location	Chepauk, Chennai, India
Coordinates	13°03′46″N 80°16′46″E / 13.06278°N 80.27944°E / 13.06278; 80.27944
Establishment	1916; 109 years ago (1916)
Capacity	38,200
Architect	East Coast Constructions Hopkins Architects
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	25 January 2025:  India v  England
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
India cricket team (1934–) India women's cricket team (1997–) Tamil Nadu cricket team (1916–) Tamil Nadu women's cricket team (2006–) Chennai Super Kings (2008–) Tamil Nadu Premier League (2016–)
As of 1 October 2024 Source: ESPNcricinfo

The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, often called the Chepauk Stadium, is a famous cricket ground in Chennai, India. It's named after M. A. Chidambaram, a former head of the BCCI. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association runs this stadium. It opened in 1916, making it the second oldest international cricket stadium in India still in use, after the Eden Gardens.

This stadium hosts matches for both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams. It's also the home ground for the Tamil Nadu cricket team and Tamil Nadu women's cricket team for local games. The popular Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Chennai Super Kings, plays its home matches here. Chepauk Stadium has hosted the IPL finals in 2011, 2012, and 2024. It's also a venue for the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

Chepauk held its first cricket test match in February 1934, when England toured India. Later that year, it hosted the first match of the Ranji Trophy, a big Indian cricket tournament. India's men's team won its first test match ever at this stadium in 1952 against England. The stadium was also the site of only the second "tied test match" in cricket history, which happened during Australia's visit in 1986.

The Indian women's team played their second-ever women's test match here in November 1976 against the West Indies. The stadium hosted its first One-Day International (ODI) match in 1987 between India and Australia during the 1987 Cricket World Cup. It has been a venue for several World Cups, including the men's tournaments in 1996, 2011, and 2023, and the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup. This ground has hosted over 80 international cricket matches.

Stadium History

How it Started

Cricket has been played in the Chepauk area for a long time. In 1846, a cricket ground was set up near the Chepauk palace. Later, in 1859, the government took over the palace grounds. A new building for players, called a pavilion, was built in 1865, becoming the home of the Madras Cricket Club. After a storm damaged the original pavilion in 1889, a new one was built in 1892. The stadium officially opened in 1916 for annual cricket matches.

Becoming an International Venue

Chepauk hosted its first big international "Test" match in February 1934. England won that match. It's one of the oldest international cricket stadiums in India that is still used today. The stadium also hosted the very first match of the Ranji Trophy in November 1934. In 1952, the Indian team made history here by winning its first-ever Test match against England.

For a while, Test matches moved to another stadium in Chennai. But in 1966, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (then called the Madras Cricket Association) got a long-term lease for the ground.

Building a Permanent Home

The cricket association wanted to build a proper stadium with permanent stands. Construction started in 1971 with help from the government and donations. The new stadium was finished in 1981. From the late 1960s to the late 1980s, the stadium often hosted a special Test match in January, known as the "Pongal Test," because it happened during the Pongal festival.

In November 1976, the Indian women's team played their second-ever Test match here against the West Indies. In 1986, the stadium was officially renamed the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. It also hosted the second-ever "tied Test match" in cricket history in 1986. The stadium welcomed its first One-Day International (ODI) match in 1987 during the 1987 Cricket World Cup. It continued to host matches for the 1996 men's and 1997 women's Cricket World Cups.

Modern Upgrades

Renovated stands with fabric roofs at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Before the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the stadium got a big makeover. New stands were built to hold 12,000 more fans, and special roofs were added that wouldn't block views. The design also allowed sea breeze to cool the ground. The stadium hosted four matches during the 2011 World Cup, which India won!

View of the stadium in 2023.

Later, some parts of the stadium had to be changed to meet safety rules. After some delays, these new stands were finally opened in March 2020. More renovations happened in 2021-2022 for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Old buildings were replaced with new ones, and the stadium's seating capacity grew to 38,000. A new stand was named after former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The stadium hosted five matches during the 2023 World Cup.

Where to Find It

The stadium is located near the famous Marina Beach in Chennai. You can reach it from Wallajah Road or Bells Road. The Chennai MRTS train line runs right next to the stadium, and the Chepauk MRTS Railway Station is very close. The nearest Chennai Metro station is the Government Estate station.

Amazing Cricket Moments

The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium has seen many incredible moments in cricket history:

• It was one of the venues for India's first-ever home Test series against England in 1934.
• The first match of the Ranji Trophy was played here in 1934.
• India won its first Test match ever against England at this stadium in 1952.
• The second-ever "Tied Test" in cricket history happened here between India and Australia in 1986.
• Sunil Gavaskar broke the record for most Test centuries here in 1983.
• Narendra Hirwani took an amazing 16 wickets in his first Test match in 1988, a world record for a debut bowler.
• Saeed Anwar from Pakistan scored 194 runs in an ODI in 1997, which was then the highest individual score in One-Day Internationals.
• In 2004, Shane Warne became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history at this ground.
• Virender Sehwag scored the fastest triple century in Test history here in 2008. He also became only the third player to score two triple centuries in Tests.
• Sachin Tendulkar has scored more Test runs at Chepauk than at any other stadium in India.
• In 2008, India achieved its second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket here.
• The Chennai Super Kings became the first team to win an IPL final at their home ground in 2011.
• M S Dhoni became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a double century in Test cricket here in 2013.
• Karun Nair scored 303 not out in 2016, becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket.
• Joe Root scored 218 runs in 2021, the highest score by an English player in India, and also the highest score in a player's 100th Test match.

See also

• List of international cricket grounds in India
• List of stadiums in India
• List of cricket grounds by capacity