Picture of newly proposed stands at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium grabs attention on internet

The picture of newly proposed stand of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has been making rounds on the internet. The Chidambaram Stadium also known as the Chepauk has a seating capacity of 31,140 at present.

However, The State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) approved the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s (TNCA) proposal in March to upgrade the stadium with a budget of Rs 139 crore as reported by TOI. With the proposed changes, it is understood that the stadium will have the addition of another 5,306 seats.

Furthermore, the TNCA has plans of taking down the building at the Pavilion and Madras Cricket Club blocks in order to rebuild it as it was very old. The idea is to replace the stands with swanky new stands and a state-of-the-art dressing room will be constructed in the new pavilion block so as to give it a new look.

“We are planning to finish the work within the next nine months,” said NCA secretary R S Ramaswamy back in March 2022.

Chepauk to host India-Australia ODI match

The Chepauk stadium has been the home stadium of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008. Furthermore, the stadium was last renovated prior to the 2011 ODI World Cup, and then subsequently, certain blocks were shut down due to lack of building approval and this is why, many international matches could not get staged at the venue.

The renovation will raise the interest among fans as they will get to witness their cricketing idols play from the new stands. The MA Chidambaram Stadium will host a 50-over contest between the Men in Blue and Australia in latter's tour to India. Team India will play Australia in the venue on 22nd March 2023 which marks the 3rd and final ODI of the three-match series.