MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk Stadium, is a cricket stadium located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India and is home to the Tamil Nadu cricket team, as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 38,000 spectators and is known for its unique atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd. It was first established in 1916 and has undergone several renovations over the years, including the construction of new stands and the installation of floodlights.
Over the years, the stadium has hosted several international cricket matches, including both Test and One Day International (ODI) matches. Some of the famous cricketing moments at the stadium include Sunil Gavaskar’s historic 236* against the West Indies in 1983, Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test century in India in 1993, and Virender Sehwag’s triple century against South Africa in 2008.
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Apart from cricket, the stadium has also hosted other sporting events such as football, hockey, and kabaddi. It has also been a venue for music concerts, with several international artists performing at the stadium over the years.
History of MA Chidambaram Stadium
MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk Stadium, has a rich history in the world of cricket. It was established in 1916 and was named after M. A. Chidambaram, a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The stadium was originally called Madras Cricket Club Ground and was home to the Madras Cricket Club (MCC).
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The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most significant one taking place in 1996 when the pavilion was rebuilt and new stands were constructed. In 2010, the stadium underwent further renovation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup, which included the installation of floodlights and the construction of a new players’ pavilion.
Notable Cricketing Moments at MA Chidambaram Stadium
MA Chidambaram Stadium has witnessed several memorable cricketing moments over the years. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- Sunil Gavaskar’s historic 236* against the West Indies in 1983: Gavaskar’s innings is still the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in Test cricket. His innings helped India draw the Test match against the West Indies.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test century in India in 1993: Tendulkar scored his first Test century on home soil against England. His innings of 165 helped India win the match by innings and 22 runs.
- Virender Sehwag’s triple century against South Africa in 2008: Sehwag scored 319 runs off just 304 balls, becoming only the third batsman in the history of Test cricket to score two triple centuries. His innings helped India win the match by innings and 6 runs.
Other Events at MA Chidambaram Stadium
Apart from cricket, MA Chidambaram Stadium has also hosted other sporting events. The stadium has hosted football matches, including the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. It has also been a venue for hockey matches, including the Hockey India League (HIL).
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The stadium has also hosted music concerts, with several international artists performing at the stadium over the years. Some of the notable concerts include the Rolling Stones in 2003, Iron Maiden in 2007, and Bryan Adams in 2011. The stadium has also been used as a venue for political rallies and other public events.
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