Top 3 iconic Test matches at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai

IND vs AUS Test, 2001. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, hosted some of the iconic Test matches ever recorded in cricket. From India’s historic Test win over Australia in 2001 to MS Dhoni’s double century, the stadium will be remembered for plenty of things. The crowd in Chennai is often regarded as one of the most intelligent in the country and it has played its part in some of the crunch times.

The ground first hosted a Test match in 1934 when India took on England. The Douglas Jardine-led side won the match by 202 runs and since then, Chennai has hosted 33 more Test matches. Out of which, India have picked up a win in 15 matches while 11 matches ended on level terms.

Also Read: Top Indian venues with most Test matches

Here are some of the most iconic Test matches played in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai:

3. India’s first-ever Test win in 1952

India vs England (Source:X/Twitter)

India’s first Test win came in 1952 when the Vijay Hazare-led side defeated England by an innings and eight runs. It was iconic in many senses as India were not as strong in those days. There were multiple limitations and the sport itself was not as popular as compared to Football or Hockey.

Notably, the first three Tests of the series in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata ended on level terms while India lost the fourth Test in Kanpur by eight wickets. They were motivated to come back stronger in Chennai and the team managed to pull off a historic win. Beating England was extremely difficult in those days but the Indian team pulled off a heist.

Batting first, England posted 266 runs in the first innings. Vinoo Mankad was the star with the ball as he picked up eight wickets. Courtesy of Pankaj Roy and Polly Ulmigar’s respective centuries, India declared their innings on 457 runs, taking a lead of 191 runs. England struggled in the bat in the second innings as well as the Donald Carr-led side was bundled for 183 runs. Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed picked up four wickets each.

2. Chennai’s standing ovation to Pakistan after 12-run win in 1999 Test

India vs Pakistan, Test, Chennai, 1999. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The 1999 Test between India and Pakistan in Chennai will forever be remembered for the crowd giving a standing ovation to the visitors amid immense political tension. A war eventually broke five months later after the Test match but politics had no role in sports as the Chennai crowd was heavily impressed with Pakistan’s performance in the match.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 238 runs on the board. Mohammad Yousuf and Moin Khan registered a half-century each, while Anil Kumble picked up six wickets for the hosts. In reply, India made 254 runs, taking a lead of 16 runs. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly hit a half-century each, while Saqlain Mushtaq picked up a five-for for Pakistan.

In the third innings, Shahid Afridi, who was opening the innings for Pakistan at that time, made 141 runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq made 51 runs as Pakistan posted 286 runs on the board. It was a mountain to climb for the Mohammad Azharuddin-led side as chasing 270 runs has never been easy in Chennai. However, Sachin Tendulkar took the challenge and played one of his greatest knocks.

He made 136 runs while Nayan Mongia made 52 runs but India fell just 12 runs short. Mushtaq once again picked up a five-for as the Pakistan players received a standing ovation after the game.

1. The heist of 2001 in India vs Australia

India vs Australia, Test, Chennai, 2001. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Beating Australia in Test cricket particularly was considered a myth then. The Sourav Ganguly-led side lost the opening Test of the series by 10 wickets but made a phenomenal comeback in the second Test at Eden Gardens. It is also considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest ever played between the two nations.

After the win in Kolkata, India had the confidence to do the unthinkable – that is winning a Test series against Australia. They dared and eventually made history in Chennai. In the third Test of the series, India picked up a two-wicket win to seal the series.

Batting first, Australia made 391 runs, courtesy of Matthew Hayden’s double century. Then young Harbhajan Singh picked up seven wickets in the first innings. In reply, India made 501 runs. Sachin Tendulkar hit 126 runs while Shiv Sunder Das, Sadagoppan Ramesh, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid hit a half-century each.

Courtesy of a massive lead, India were the favourites to win the game after the first innings. They bundled Australia for 264 runs in the second innings and gave them a brilliant chance to get the job done but the conditions got tougher when they came out to bat. India’s middle order faltered and Australia could smell a victory at one point. However, the team pulled things back at the right time, and credit goes to Laxman’s half-century to win the game by two wickets.