MA Chidambaram Stadium

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Lore & Background

Chepauk hosted its first cricket match in February 1934, when India played a Test match against England. The Indian cricket team recorded its first ever Test victory at the venue in a match against England in 1952. The venue was also the host of the second-ever tied Test in the history of the game during Australia's tour of India in 1986. The stadium hosted its first One Day International during the 1987 Cricket World Cup match between India and Australia. It subsequently served as one of the venues when India hosted the Cricket World Cup in 1996, 2011, 2023, as well as the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup, and the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. The Indian Premier League 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. In the final of the 2011 IPL held at the venue, Chennai Super Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru to become the first team to win an IPL final at their home ground, and successfully defend an IPL title.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over Chepauk as the Bangalore captain walked out onto the pitch. The air smelled of salt from the nearby bay and fresh grass. Around him, fifty thousand voices roared in a language he didn't speak but felt deeply in his chest. He gripped the bat, knowing this ground demanded respect. Every boundary here was hard-earned, every wicket a lesson learned in the heat of Chennai.

Reader's Guide

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is located in the Chepauk area of Chennai, close to Marina Beach, and can be accessed from Wallajah Road in the north, Bells Road in the west, and by Victoria Hostel Road. The Chennai MRTS line abuts the stadium and the Chepauk MRTS Railway Station is located to the south-east. Government Estate is the nearest station of the Chennai Metro. For RCB, this venue is primarily an away ground where they face their rivals. The pitch is historically known to favor spinners as the match wears on, requiring visiting teams to build innings carefully before accelerating. The stadium features a compact design with stands close to the boundary, intensifying the crowd noise. It has witnessed high-scoring thrillers and tight contests involving RCB over the years. While it is not their home base, matches here are crucial for points in the league stage, often determining playoff chances.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was established in 1916 and is the second oldest international cricket stadium in the country after Eden Gardens which is still being used to host Test cricket.
• India recorded its first-ever Test victory at the venue in a match against England in 1952.
• The venue was the host of the second-ever tied Test in the history of the game during Australia's tour of India in 1986.
• In the final of the 2011 Indian Premier League held at the venue, Chennai Super Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru to become the first team to win an IPL final at their home ground.
• The stadium hosted its first One Day International during the 1987 Cricket World Cup match between India and Australia.