Times of Chepauk

Starting Tomorrow all roads in Chennai will lead towards Chepauk. I have very fond memories of the MAC as a child. I still remember how I remained glued to my seat till the last ball was bowled, during the famous India-Australia Tied Test Match. I still remember Greg Mathews the Aussie Off-Spinner trapping Maninder Singh right in front, even as Ravi Shastri watched helplessly from the other end. Till that point of time, the stadium was quite vociferous and cheering wildly for every run being scored. As Maninder stood in disbelief and Ravi Shastri shell shocked, the entire stadium was reduced to a pin drop silence even as the Australian team broke into celebrations. From a moment of a likely defeat, The Aussies were elated at the prospect of having Tied a Test Match. The Game of Cricket had emerged victorious.

The Chennai Cricket Lovers have always been a sporting crowd. Of course the feeling of patriotism and the good cheer remains. The spectators here don't mind applauding good cricket from the Opposition. Crowds are very well behaved and a good shot or a ball well bowled by an opponent is equally applauded as the home team. Memory takes me to the India-Pakistan Test match played in Chennai, if memory serves me right was in 1999. Set to chase 200 plus runs on the final day, India fell agonizingly short by 12 runs. I recall a brilliant 131 by Sachin Tendulkar in the second innings. It was one of the best knocks that I have seen from The Little master as it came in challenging circumstances. Sachin was fighting back spasms and he fought a lone battle along with Nayan Mongia at the other end. Sachin did shed a few tears as he trudged back to the pavilion. Pakistan won this test match and along with it the hearts of the Chennai Crowd. The entire Pakistan team went around the stadium in victory celebrations and the sporting crowd accorded a standing ovation. Proud of you Chennai!!!

Flash Back to the First Test Match in December 2008 between India and England. I loved this match because here of just one reason. This was the match where I felt that Sachin lay the Ghosts of the India Pakistan match to rest. He had been labelled as a great played but in winning situations and pretty much under pressure when the challenge becomes greater. India was set a tough 2nd innings target to clinch victory. 387 was required. India got a solid start from Gambhir and Sehwag. Wickets fell quickly but India was adequately served by the pair of Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin scored a masterful ton while Yuvraj remained undefeated on 80 plus. India romped home to victory while deflating the English pride. Sachin had finally redeemed himself as a match winner.

I have seen pitched battles being fought in this hallowed arena. Amongst the various battles my favourite would be the one between Sachin and Shane Warne. Both the players were at their peak, and media had pitched it as a war between two cricketing greats. Sachin of course came out on top. His know was once again a master class with the ball being scurried around to different parts of the stadium.

I look forward to the test match beginning tomorrow with a new generation of players on either side. The series being decided in India's favour I would love for Kohli to experiment with the Indian side. maybe we could give Amit Mishra a chance. In these kind of circumstances I would love to see a green top in Chennai with the dice loaded heavily in favour of the seamers instead of a rank turner. That could be a real test for the Indian Batsmen on a seaming track. But as goes the popular sporting adage "Never change a winning combination" which I guess will be top most on the Indian skippers mind.

Chepauk gives me a good reason to revisit old cricketing memories. Tomorrow is yet another dawn, look forward to all the noise and cheering at the stadium. End of five days may the better team emerge victorious. Look forward to seeing Local boy Ashwin spinning a web around the English batsmen.