IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Friday inaugurated the newly built pavilion stand at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. The new stand was named after former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi. The inauguration was done ahead of the final India vs Australia ODI match as well as the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) season . The new stands will be accessible to the general public. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The renovated stadium will have a museum showcasing the history of the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The stadium will also have artwork and murals on the walls featuring iconic games played at the venue, including the famous 1986 tied Test between India and Australia. The stadium’s capacity is anticipated to reach close to 38,000 with the addition of the two new stands.
#LEO #Msdhoni at the inauguration of the pavilion stand at MA Chidambaram Stadium chennai@ChennaiIPL 💛 🦁 pic.twitter.com/EsDPXBVLOd
— VIJAY ANNA 👑 Fan 🕊 (@MathaiyanVijay) March 17, 2023
IPL 2023: WATCH CSK captain MS Dhoni inaugurate new pavilion at MA Chidambaram stadium ahead of IPL as Chepauk finally reopens to bigger crowd, Check out
MA Chidambaram stadium gets new pavilion
According to a report by The Hindu following the renovation work there will be spacious dressing rooms, a gym and an indoor nets facility. The facilities will be situated on the first floor above the pavilion. The rest of the stadium has also been given a facelift along with the new galleries for a better spectator experience, and wheelchair access at the I-Lower stand.
Back in March last year, the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) approving TNCA’s proposal to upgrade the Chepauk stadium at Rs 139 crore. A Times of India report stated that TNCA has obtained permission to add 5,306 seats to meet the growing demand for tickets. The report has credited former TNCA president Ms. Rupa Gurunath, behind this renovation project.
Speaking to the publication the chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee said, “After the I, J & K stands issue was sorted out and the lease renewed, we demolished the old structure in Dec. 2021, and work began in April last year. It began slowly, but we have sped it up in the last couple of months, and we are here in mid-March, almost ready,”
The former TNCA president further added, “When you go the world over, you get museum tours of the stadium, and we decided we must have one here. Apart from that, we will have a Chennai Super Kings superstore and a place with other memorabilia. We will have a professional guide and eventually audio headsets in at least three languages,” .
IPL 2023: WATCH CSK captain MS Dhoni inaugurate new pavilion at MA Chidambaram stadium ahead of IPL as Chepauk finally reopens to bigger crowd, Check out
MS Dhoni gears up for IPL 2023
The IPL 2023 is touted to be MS Dhoni’s final season with Chennai Super Kings. However the 41-year-old is yet to reveal his decision of whether to continue playing in the cash rich league in the future .Dhoni has previously stated his desire to play his final IPL match in front of CSK fans. The CSK skipper will be returning to MA Chidambaram stadium after a gap of three years.
The 2011 World Cup winning skipper final journey at his adopted home begins on April 3rd against Lucknow Super Giants. The wicket keeper batsman has been a member of the CSK camp since the beginning of the league and has guided the Men in Yellow to four titles which came in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021
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