The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai holds a legendary status in Indian cricket history. Located in the heart of Tamil Nadu, this venue is the home ground of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. With IPL 2026 on the horizon, fans eagerly wait to witness more thrilling encounters at this iconic stadium.
The stadium got its name from MA Chidambaram, a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Since the IPL began in 2008, this ground has hosted some of the most exciting matches in the tournament’s history. The passionate crowd and electric atmosphere make every game here a memorable experience. Chennai fans call this venue “Anbuden” or “The Den,” where the Yellow Army roars for their beloved CSK.
Stadium Overview and Key Details
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, stands as one of India’s oldest cricket venues. The ground offers a unique blend of history and modern cricket facilities.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1916 |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Capacity | 50,000 |
| IPL Matches Hosted | 92 |
| First IPL Match | April 23, 2008 |
| Home Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Highest Score | 246/5 by CSK |
| Lowest Score | 70 by RCB |
The stadium made its international debut in 1934 when India played England in a Test match. It also hosted India’s first-ever Test victory in 1952 against England. The venue hosted the second-ever tied Test match in history during Australia’s 1986 tour.
Pitch Report: What Makes Chennai Special
The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium offers a unique contest between bat and ball. The surface tends to favor teams batting first, with spin playing a crucial role.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Win Trend | Teams batting first won 52 out of 92 matches (56.5%) |
| Avg. 1st Innings Score | Approximately 164 runs |
| Bowling Support | Spin-friendly; turn and grip for spinners as the game progresses |
| Scoring Nature | Low to moderate scoring venue; 200+ scores are rare |
| Straight Boundary | Approximately 80 meters |
| Square Boundary | Approximately 65-68 meters |
| Key Factors | Red soil pitch slows down; spinners dominate the middle overs |
Batting Records At MA Chidambaram Stadium
The Chennai pitch demands solid technique and smart shot selection from batters. While some players have struggled here, others have made this ground their fortress.
Top Run Scorers
Many batters have dominated at the MA Chidambaram Stadium over the years.
MS Dhoni leads the all-time run-scoring charts at this venue, showing his mastery despite batting lower in the order.
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 1,547 |
| Suresh Raina | 1,498 |
| Murali Vijay | 928 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 750+ |
| Faf du Plessis | 680+ |
Dhoni’s success at this ground came from his ability to finish games under pressure. His deep knowledge of local conditions helped him score consistently across multiple seasons. Suresh Raina, often called “Mr. IPL,” showed remarkable consistency with one century and eight fifties at this venue.
Highest Individual Scores
The venue has witnessed some brilliant individual performances despite its challenging conditions.
Murali Vijay holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL matches at this ground.
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Murali Vijay | 127* |
| Marcus Stoinis | 124* |
| Murali Vijay | 113 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 108* |
| Suresh Raina | 100* |
Vijay’s unbeaten 127 off 56 balls came for CSK against RR in IPL 2010. His innings showed how a quality batter can dominate even on a tricky surface. He also scored the fastest century at this venue in just 46 balls. Marcus Stoinis created history in IPL 2024 by chasing down 211 almost single-handedly.
Most Sixes Hit
Power hitting plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. Despite the spin-friendly surface and big boundaries, several batters have cleared the ropes with ease at this ground.
| Player | Sixes |
|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 77 |
| Suresh Raina | 45 |
| Murali Vijay | 35 |
| Albie Morkel | 26 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 24 |
Dhoni’s tally of 77 sixes remains unmatched. His ability to clear the big boundaries with helicopter shots entertained the Chennai crowd for many seasons. The Chepauk faithful have witnessed countless towering sixes from their captain.
Most Fours Hit
Finding gaps and running hard between wickets remains essential at this venue. These players have perfected the art of boundary hitting at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
| Player | Fours |
|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | 165 |
| MS Dhoni | 120 |
| Murali Vijay | 105 |
| Faf du Plessis | 85 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 80+ |
Raina’s 165 fours highlight his exceptional placement skills and ability to find gaps consistently. His classical stroke-play made him a fan favorite at this ground.
Bowling Records At MA Chidambaram Stadium
While batters often grab headlines, bowlers have also created memorable performances at this venue. The pitch rewards smart bowling and variations, especially from spinners.
Most Wickets
Taking wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium requires skill and knowledge of local conditions. These bowlers have mastered the art of dismissing batters here.
| Player | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 52 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 44 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 42 |
| Albie Morkel | 36 |
| Mohit Sharma | 28 |
Ravichandran Ashwin’s 52 wickets came from his deep understanding of the Chennai pitch. His knowledge of local conditions helped him trouble batters throughout his career. The Chennai-born spinner used guile and variations to outfox opponents on countless occasions.
Best Bowling Figures
The stadium has seen some destructive spells of bowling over the years. These performances showcase what bowlers can achieve when conditions are in their favor.
| Player | Figures |
|---|---|
| Akash Madhwal | 5/5 |
| Andre Russell | 5/15 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 5/16 |
| Alzarri Joseph | 6/12 |
| R Ashwin | 4/11 |
Akash Madhwal’s 5/5 against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023 Eliminator remains one of the best bowling performances at this venue. His spell destroyed the LSG batting lineup and helped Mumbai Indians win by 81 runs. Andre Russell’s 5/15 in 2021 showed how even pace bowlers can dominate on this surface.
Team Records: Highs and Lows
The stadium has witnessed both massive totals and dramatic collapses. The contrasting records show how the pitch can behave differently under various conditions.
Highest Team Totals
Teams have managed to post big scores when conditions favor batting. These totals pushed the opposition under immense pressure.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| CSK vs RR | 246/5 by CSK |
| RR vs CSK | 223/5 by RR |
| CSK vs DD | 222/5 by CSK |
| CSK vs RCB | 209/4 by CSK |
| CSK vs RCB | 205/5 by CSK |
Chennai Super Kings’ 246/5 against RR in IPL 2010 stands as the highest team total at this venue. Murali Vijay’s 127 and Albie Morkel’s 62 powered that historic innings.
Lowest Team Totals
The venue has also produced some shocking batting collapses. These totals highlight how quickly things can change in T20 cricket.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| RCB vs CSK | 70 All Out by RCB |
| LSG vs MI | 101 All Out by LSG |
| CSK vs KKR | 103/9 by CSK |
| KKR vs CSK | 108/9 by KKR |
| DC vs CSK | 115 All Out by DC |
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 70 all out against CSK in 2019 remains the lowest total in Chennai’s IPL history. This collapse showed how the pitch can assist bowlers when conditions align.
Highest Successful Chase
Chasing big totals requires skill and composure on this tricky surface. These chases stand out in Chennai’s IPL history.
| Match | Target Chased |
|---|---|
| LSG vs CSK | 213/4 |
| CSK vs RCB | 206/5 |
| PBKS vs CSK | 201/6 |
| MI vs KKR | 190/3 |
| CSK vs MI | 185/4 |
Lucknow Super Giants’ chase of 213 against CSK in IPL 2024 stands as the highest successful run chase at this ground. Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 124 made this incredible chase possible.
Fielding Records
Fielding plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. The fast outfield and big boundaries at MA Chidambaram Stadium demand athletic fielding from all teams.
Most Catches
These players have shown excellent catching skills at this venue, often turning games with crucial dismissals.
| Player | Catches |
|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | 25 |
| MS Dhoni | 22 |
| Faf du Plessis | 18 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 16 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 14 |
Suresh Raina’s 25 catches show his outstanding fielding ability. His safe hands in the slip cordon and outfield have contributed to many CSK victories.
Highest Partnership Records
Strong partnerships often decide match outcomes. The MA Chidambaram Stadium has witnessed some match-winning stands over the years.
Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay hold the record for the highest partnership at this venue. Their 159-run opening stand for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011 remains a memorable innings. Vijay scored 95 while Hussey contributed 63 in that partnership. The duo showcased the batting prowess of two quality players on a good pitch.
Chennai Super Kings At Their Fortress
Chennai Super Kings have a formidable record at their home ground. The team has won 51 of 75 matches played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, giving them an impressive win percentage of over 68%.
The 2008 IPL season holds special significance for this venue. The first IPL match at Chepauk took place on April 23, 2008, between CSK and Mumbai Indians. Matthew Hayden’s 81 and Suresh Raina’s half-century helped CSK post 208/5. They won that high-scoring encounter by 6 runs, setting the tone for CSK’s dominance at home.
Match Statistics Summary
The numbers tell an interesting story about cricket at this venue. Here are some key statistics from 92 IPL matches played at MA Chidambaram Stadium:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs Scored | 28,975 |
| Total Matches | 92 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 52 |
| Matches Won Chasing | 40 |
| Average First Innings Score | 164.6 |
| Average Second Innings Score | 150.3 |
| Total Sixes | 1,017 |
| Total Fours | 2,352 |
| Win % for Batting First | 56.5% |
Historic Moments At Chepauk
The MA Chidambaram Stadium has witnessed several historic moments in IPL history:
The stadium hosted the IPL 2011 final where Chennai Super Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs. CSK became the first team to win an IPL final at their home ground and successfully defend their title.
The IPL 2012 final also took place here, where Kolkata Knight Riders beat CSK to win their first title. The IPL 2024 final returned to Chennai, with KKR defeating SRH to claim their third trophy.
In IPL 2023, CSK won the Qualifier 1 at Chepauk against Gujarat Titans by 15 runs. They went on to win their fifth IPL title, tying with Mumbai Indians for the most championships.
Related Reads:
Conclusion: A Venue For Memorable Cricket
The MA Chidambaram Stadium continues to produce exciting cricket year after year. The spin-friendly pitch creates fair contests between bat and ball, while the passionate Chennai crowd adds to the electric atmosphere.
With its rich history and modern facilities, this venue remains a fortress for Chennai Super Kings. The stadium has hosted record-breaking innings, sensational bowling spells, and dramatic finishes. Every IPL season brings new stories and memorable moments to this iconic ground.
As IPL 2026 approaches, fans look forward to more thrilling encounters at MA Chidambaram Stadium. The combination of skilled cricketers, a challenging pitch, and enthusiastic supporters promises exciting action for seasons to come.
