From Afghanistan to Alandur: How Chepauk came alive for the T20 World Cup

There is never a dull moment in T20 cricket. Usually associated with windy evenings, India’s floodlit stadiums come to life with nail biting encounters and bitter sporting rivalry.

So, when I trudged my way on a lazy Sunday morning to the hallowed MA Chidambaram stadium, for the New Zealand-Afghanistan match at the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup, I envisioned a tepid encounter. But thanks to Chennai’s ‘Knowledgeable Cricket Crowd’ – a sobriquet earned over the years for the fans’ support of a good game irrespective of the playing teams – the morning was as much a spectacle as any IPL high-energy game.

Waiting patiently in line to get into the ground was Mohammad Imran, a fan who had come just a few days ago from Afghanistan. A few excited local cricket fans wanted to take selfies with him – probably because of his grand dress and turban, which make him stand out among the crowd. After posing for a few pictures, he told me that he was here for a couple of days to take in the cricket frenzy, apart from a bit of sight seeing. “It’s great to see the support for cricket here. I even saw quite a bit of support for the Afghan team which was quite heartening,” he said, adding that Afghanistan’s good showing in the previous World Cup has led to a rise in interest in the game back home.

If Imran came all the way from Afghanistan, 25-year-old Ramana arrived from Alandur, taking the Metro to get here. I caught him bargaining for a New Zealand T-shirt from one of the many roadside shops that spring to life at the periphery of the stadium during match days. “Akka, Santner T-shirt kudunga (give me the T-shirt with the lettering ‘Santner’),” he says, referring to the New Zealand captain and former Chennai Super Kings allrounder.

Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand and Rashid Khan of Afghanistan during the ICC T20 World Cup match at MAC Stadium in Chennai
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

What’s the score?

Inside, Chepauk has a vibe and breeze that defies the laziness associated with Sunday mornings. I enter the KMK Stand to see a stadium that brandishes a new look – the MA Chidambaram stadium recently underwent a major renovation that includes a new outfield and pitch, besides upgraded infrastructure. At the ICC Hospitality boxes, you can sip drinks or munch on delicious food even as you watch the game – thanks to a partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and the International Cricket Council (ICC) that provides a premium world-class experience for fans.

Chennai dearly loves its cricket. Which probably explains the fascination for a New Zealand-Afganistan clash; Chepauk reportedly had more than 20,000 fans watching the action, a somewhat sizeable number for a match that does not involve the host team. Thanks to the presence of international stars who have a city connection – Kiwi players like Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell have been associated with the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings in the past – there was considerable excitement in the stands.

I caught a couple of young fans trying to draw Santner’s attention as he walked out for some fielding practice; ‘Santner sir, Santner sir,” they shouted, even as the bespectacled Kiwi acknowledged them with a gentle nod and smile. That nod and smile stayed with him till the very end, even as New Zealand triumphed, despite Afghanistan – led by popular spinner Rashid Khan – trying their best. As the two teams made their way back to the dressing rooms, the Sunday morning lethargy had disappeared. Walking out, I knew this would not be my last such day at Chepauk.