# M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (எம். ஏ. சிதம்பரம்)
**M. A. Chidambaram Stadium** (எம். ஏ. சிதம்பரம்), formally Muthiah Annamalai Chidambaram Stadium and commonly known as the Chepauk Stadium, is a cricket stadium in the Chepauk neighborhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1916, it is the second oldest cricket stadium in the country after [Eden Gardens](https://www.edgepedia.org/eden-gardens) in Kolkata, and it is the home ground of the [Tamil Nadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-nadu) cricket team and the [Indian Premier League](https://www.edgepedia.org/indian-premier-league) franchise Chennai Super Kings.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1916, as the Madras Cricket Club Ground; the second oldest cricket stadium in India after Eden Gardens, Kolkata[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) |
| Name | Named after M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, former president of the BCCI and head of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) |
| Firsts | First Test on 10 February 1934 (India v England); first ODI on 9 October 1987 (India v Australia); first T20I on 11 September 2012 (India v New Zealand)[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) • [2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) |
| Landmark matches | India's first Test victory, against England in 1952; the 1986 India-Australia Test, only the second Tied Test in the game's history[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) |
| Ends | Anna Pavilion End and V Pattabhiraman Gate End[3](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/story-yIZClqGctCnC3DqpfCBmbN_amp.html) |
| Capacity | Reported as 50,000 in 2003, 33,108 after the renovation before the 2011 World Cup, and 38,200 in a 2026 guide[3](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/story-yIZClqGctCnC3DqpfCBmbN_amp.html) • [4](https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ma-chidambaram-stadium-vs-m-chinnaswamy-stadium-home-ground-comparison-stats-records-home-advantage/?amp=1) • [2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) |
| Matches staged | 35 Tests, 29 ODIs, 10 T20Is, and 98 IPL games as of the 2026 season[2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) |
| Operator | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association[2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) |
## Origins and naming
The ground began hosting Presidency matches in 1916 and became one of Madras's main cricket venues.[5](https://fairsplays.co.in/cricket/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/) It was formerly known as the Madras Cricket Club Ground, and the name Chepauk is taken from the area of the city in which it stands.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) • [6](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/58008.html) Its name honors M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, who once led the [Board of Control for Cricket in India](https://www.edgepedia.org/board-of-control-for-cricket-in-india) as president and was also a prominent member of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium)
**Early international history.** Chepauk hosted its first Test match on 10 February 1934, between [Douglas Jardine](https://www.edgepedia.org/douglas-jardine)'s England and C. K. Nayudu's India.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) • [6](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/58008.html) The ICC's stadium page dates the ground's first [Ranji Trophy](https://www.edgepedia.org/ranji-trophy) match to 1936,[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) while an ICC World Cup 2023 document states that the venue hosted the first match in the Ranji Trophy in 1934, played between Madras and Mysore,[7](https://images.icc-cricket.com/image/upload/prd/qfn6kyzv3pjksghxxvx4.pdf) and ESPNcricinfo's guide likewise places the first match of the inaugural Ranji Trophy at Chepauk in November 1934.[2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) For decades, Test matches at Chepauk were associated with the Pongal harvest festival.[6](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/58008.html)
## Landmark matches
In 1952 the ground staged India's first Test victory, over England, a result the ICC describes as an important step in the team's emergence on the world stage.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) • [8](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/venues/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-ma-chidambaram-stadium) The 1986 India-Australia Test at Chepauk ended in a tie, only the second [Tied Test](https://www.edgepedia.org/tied-test) in the history of the game, and is also remembered for Dean Jones's 210 for Australia.[1](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium) • [9](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/grounds/2020-ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai-groundprofile)
The ground is also known for its crowd. When [Saeed Anwar](https://www.edgepedia.org/saeed-anwar) made his record-breaking 194 against India in the 1997 Independence Cup, and again when Pakistan won the 1999 Test, the Chepauk spectators gave the visitors a standing ovation.[6](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/58008.html) A 2003 profile credited the venue with the most Test wins for India of any Indian ground at the time, nine, and the most decisive results among the nation's grounds, fifteen.[3](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/story-yIZClqGctCnC3DqpfCBmbN_amp.html)
## Pitch and playing conditions
**Soil and character.** The center square at Chepauk has eight pitches: one with a red soil topping, one of mixed variety, and the rest with significant clay content, all with a red soil base.[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-surface-tension-7183336/) A 2002 inspection report recorded that the main block was built from a mixture of predominantly dark brown or black soil and local red soil, with the black soil being lake bed sediment from the suburbs of Chennai.[11](https://www.rediff.com/cricket/2003/may/12pitch20.htm) The red soil breaks up rather than flattens out, which is why the ground has traditionally belonged to spinners; historical data cited in one analysis has spinners taking nearly 60 percent of wickets at the venue.[2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) • [12](https://cricsensei.com/ma-chidambaram-stadium-pitch-report/) The pitch has also changed in recent seasons, with reports describing a transition from a traditionally spin-heavy wicket to a more balanced surface supporting both batters and bowlers.[13](https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/csk-vs-gt-pitch-report-what-to-expect-at-ma-chidambaram-stadium-428139.html)
**Measured scoring.** Across 98 Indian Premier League matches at the ground, the first innings has averaged 165.6 runs against a league-wide average of 171.4, and the middle overs at Chepauk are the slowest passage of play at any of India's five biggest grounds.[14](https://crickettaken.in/cricket-in-india/stadiums/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/pitch-report/) The stadium's coastal location near [Marina Beach](https://www.edgepedia.org/marina-beach) affects conditions, and a cross-field breeze at the straight boundary can move the ball about a meter either way.[15](https://www.cricmind.ai/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium) • [16](https://iplplaynow.com/pitch-weather/chidambaram/)
## Renovation and facilities
The stadium has been rebuilt in stages. Its seating capacity was increased to 33,108 in renovations before the 2011 [Cricket World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/cricket-world-cup).[4](https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ma-chidambaram-stadium-vs-m-chinnaswamy-stadium-home-ground-comparison-stats-records-home-advantage/?amp=1) Demolition of the old A and B stands began in December 2021, construction of new stands started on 6 April 2022, and the new Kalaignar M Karunanidhi Stand was inaugurated on 17 March 2023 by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin.[17](https://www.tnca.cricket/assets/documents/Annual-Report-2022-23.pdf) A sewage treatment plant has been installed within the premises at a cost of approximately Rs 18.5 million (Rs 1.85 crores), with a recurring monthly operating cost of approximately Rs 250,000 (Rs 2.5 lakhs), sufficient for the stadium's greenbelt water requirements.[18](https://www.greentribunal.gov.in/sites/default/files/news_updates/Reply%20by%20R-%2023%20in%20EA%20No.%2041%20of%202023%20IN%20OA%20No.%2094%20of%202021%20%28Haider%20Ali%20vs.%20UOI%20%26%20Ors.%29.pdf) Renovation work for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, for which Chepauk is a listed venue, included a new outfield, drainage system, and VIP boxes.[8](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/venues/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-ma-chidambaram-stadium) • [19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsuQxrf_2I)
## Role in Indian cricket
Chepauk has hosted 35 Tests, 29 ODIs, 10 T20Is, and 98 IPL games, and it staged the first match of the inaugural Ranji Trophy.[2](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/) It was a venue for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup[20](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/cricketworldcup/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium) and is a venue for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup.[8](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/venues/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-ma-chidambaram-stadium) The stadium hosted the finals of the IPL's fourth and fifth editions.[21](https://www.dietchennai.org/assets/district_profile.pdf)
## References
1. [M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, ICC](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/m-a-chidambaram-stadium)
2. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk: pitch report, records and stats, SportsAdda](https://www.sportsadda.asia/cricket/features/ma-chidambaram-stadium-ipl-records-the-biggest-numbers-from-csks-chepauk-fortress/)
3. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Hindustan Times (2003)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/story-yIZClqGctCnC3DqpfCBmbN_amp.html)
4. [Chidambaram vs Chinnaswamy: Which IPL venue offers the biggest home advantage?, CricTracker](https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/ma-chidambaram-stadium-vs-m-chinnaswamy-stadium-home-ground-comparison-stats-records-home-advantage/?amp=1)
5. [M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch Report and History, FairsPlays](https://fairsplays.co.in/cricket/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/)
6. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, ESPNcricinfo](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/ground/58008.html)
7. [ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 venue document](https://images.icc-cricket.com/image/upload/prd/qfn6kyzv3pjksghxxvx4.pdf)
8. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 venues](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/venues/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-ma-chidambaram-stadium)
9. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai ground profile, NDTV Sports](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/grounds/2020-ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai-groundprofile)
10. [Surface tension: Chepauk pitch for 2nd Test may have more bounce and carry, The Indian Express (2021)](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-surface-tension-7183336/)
11. [M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai pitch inspection report, Rediff (2003)](https://www.rediff.com/cricket/2003/may/12pitch20.htm)
12. [MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report 2026, CricSensei](https://cricsensei.com/ma-chidambaram-stadium-pitch-report/)
13. [CSK vs GT Pitch Report: What to Expect at MA Chidambaram Stadium, myKhel](https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/csk-vs-gt-pitch-report-what-to-expect-at-ma-chidambaram-stadium-428139.html)
14. [MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report & Average Scores, CricketTaken](https://crickettaken.in/cricket-in-india/stadiums/ma-chidambaram-stadium-chennai/pitch-report/)
15. [MA Chidambaram Stadium, IPL 2026 Stadium Guide, CricMind.ai](https://www.cricmind.ai/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium)
16. [MA Chidambaram, Chennai, pitch brief, iplplaynow](https://iplplaynow.com/pitch-weather/chidambaram/)
17. [Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Annual Report 2022-23, Infrastructure Report](https://www.tnca.cricket/assets/documents/Annual-Report-2022-23.pdf)
18. [TNCA reply in EA No. 41 of 2023 in OA No. 94 of 2021, National Green Tribunal](https://www.greentribunal.gov.in/sites/default/files/news_updates/Reply%20by%20R-%2023%20in%20EA%20No.%2041%20of%202023%20IN%20OA%20No.%2094%20of%202021%20%28Haider%20Ali%20vs.%20UOI%20%26%20Ors.%29.pdf)
19. [Chepauk Stadium Chennai Renovation for T20 WC 2026, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsuQxrf_2I)
20. [Venues, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/cricketworldcup/venues/ma-chidambaram-stadium)
21. [Chennai district profile, DIET Chennai](https://www.dietchennai.org/assets/district_profile.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Cricket › Cricket practice and culture › Major international cricket grounds*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license