Sunday, January 30, 2011

Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai

Location: Chepauk, Chennai
Established In: 1916
Seating Capacity: 50,000
Floodlights: Yes
End Names: Anna Pavilion End, V. Pattabhiraman Gate End
Home Team: Tamil Nadu
Owner: Tamil Nadu Cricket Association
First Test: India v England - Feb 10-13, 1934
First ODI: India v Australia - Oct 9, 1987

The M. A. Chidambaram cricket stadium (commonly known as Chepauk) has been named after M. A. Chidambaram, former President of BCCI and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. With a bouncy pitch, Chepauk Stadium offers something both to the batsman and the bowlers. In the present time, the wicket on the ground has become a bit flatter. The first Test at Chepauk was played in 1933-34 between Douglas Jardine's England and C. K. Nayudu's India. The opening match of the 1987 World Cup - between India and Australia - was the first ODI to be played at Chepak. Floodlights were installed in the ground during the 1996 World Cup. Chepauk will have its special place in the annals of Indian cricket, because it played host to the first ever Indian Test victory in 1952.

Milestones
The stadium has been associated with an incredible array of cricketing records. India and Australia played out only the second tied Test in the history of the game at this ground in the 1986-87. In the Independence Cup in 1997, a belligerent Saeed Anwar notched up a record 194 against India. In a touching display of sporting spirit, the 50,000 strong Chepauk fans gave a standing ovation to the Pakistani Cricket team in 1999 after victory in a very closely fought Test match.

England holds the record for the highest Test score at Chepauk Stadium so far, when they declared 652 runs against India. Chepauk Stadium was a venue to Sunil Gavaskar's 236 not out against the West Indies, which is recorded as the highest individual score at the ground. The second tied-test in the history of Test cricket was played at the stadium, during the India-Australia encounter in 1986-87. The highest test score at the ground was made by Virender Sehwag (319 runs). Rahul Dravid scored his 10000th Test run at the Chepauk Stadium. The highest successful Test run chase was also achieved at the stadium, in 2008.

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