M Chinnaswamy Stadium: History of venue and list of iconic moments, international matches played in Bengaluru

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The M Chinnaswamy Stadium, located in the heart of Bengaluru, is one of India's most iconic cricket venues. Named after M Chinnaswamy, a visionary cricket administrator, the stadium is a testament to his tireless efforts to develop the game in Karnataka and across India. From thrilling Test matches to unforgettable World Cup moments, this stadium has witnessed the highs and lows of cricket over the last five decades.

The Visionary Behind the Stadium

M Chinnaswamy, a lawyer by profession, was anything but a typical sports administrator. His passion for cricket drove him to elevate the game in Karnataka, which was still known as Mysore in the 1960s. The state's cricketers were gaining prominence, but there was no dedicated ground for the state team, forcing them to host matches at Central College in Bangalore.

Chinnaswamy, along with other influential figures, persuaded the Karnataka government to allocate a prime plot on MG Road for a cricket stadium. The land, leased for 99 years from the Indian Army in 1969, became the foundation of what would later be the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. Remarkably, the construction process under Chinnaswamy's supervision was corruption-free-no bribes were given or taken.

Early Years and Iconic Test Matches

The first-ever Test match at the stadium took place in *November 1974*, featuring the debut of West Indies legends Sir Gordon Greenidge and Sir Viv Richards. Greenidge made a remarkable start to his career with scores of 93 and 107, helping the West Indies secure a 267-run victory.

This stadium also holds historical significance as the venue for the debut Test of the Indian women's cricket team. Diana Edulji, who would go on to become a cricketing icon and an ICC Hall of Famer, made her Test debut here.

India's first Test victory at this venue came in 1977 against England, where Karnataka's very own BS Chandrasekhar stole the show with nine wickets across two innings, leading India to a 140-run triumph.

In 1978, the ground hosted a game with historical implications, as it marked the debut of Malcolm Marshall - one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers. However, the Test was disrupted due to civil unrest in the city following the arrest of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Memorable Innings and Unforgettable Moments at Chinnaswamy

The legendary Gundappa Viswanath, one of Karnataka's greatest cricketers, notched a memorable century (161) at this stadium against Australia in 1979. For over four decades, his century stood as the only one by a Karnataka player at the venue until KL Rahul achieved the feat against the Netherlands during the 2023 World Cup.

One of the most thrilling matches at the Chinnaswamy was the 1987 Test against Pakistan, which became Sunil Gavaskar's final Test. In challenging conditions on a turning track, Gavaskar delivered a batting masterclass, scoring 96 in his farewell innings. However, India fell short by 16 runs, losing both the match and the series.

The stadium witnessed another historic milestone in 1994, when legendary Kapil Dev equaled Sir Richard Hadlee's world record for most Test wickets at this venue. In an act of sportsmanship, Anil Kumble bowled wide deliveries to ensure Kapil had the opportunity to break the record at the next Test in Ahmedabad.

The 1996 World Cup and the Famous India-Pakistan Clash

The 1996 World Cup brought Chinnaswamy into the global spotlight, hosting the high-stakes quarterfinal between India and Pakistan. The fiery exchange between Aamir Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad became an enduring memory, as India emerged victorious to advance to the semifinals. This was also Javed Miandad's last international game, marking the end of an era for Pakistani cricket.

Later that year, on Vijayadashami, Karnataka stars Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath orchestrated a thrilling win against Australia at this very ground. Crowd troubles briefly marred the game, but the KSCA responded by installing nets in the stands to prevent unruly behaviour in future matches.

Anil Kumble's Special Connection with Chinnaswamy

For local boy Anil Kumble, Chinnaswamy holds a special place in his heart. It was here that he claimed his 100th, 300th, and 400th Test wickets. He even bowled medium pace in his final Test at the venue in a nostalgic farewell performance against Pakistan. Kumble later became the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and worked from his office inside the stadium.

Modern-Day Milestones and Technological Advances

In 2010, Chinnaswamy witnessed a thrilling Test win against Australia, where Sachin Tendulkar produced a sublime double century, and Cheteshwar Pujara announced his arrival on the Test stage with a composed 72 on debut. The rapturous Bengaluru crowd was hailed as the "12th man" by MS Dhoni for their unwavering support.

In November 2013, the venue etched its name again in history books when Rohit Sharma slammed his career's maiden double hundred in ODIs against Australia in the bilateral series. Opening batting for India, the right-handed batter scored 209 off 158 deliveries, including record 16 sixes, and entered the elite club of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to become the third male cricketer to score 200-plus runs in the ODIs.

Persistent rain during the 2015 Test against South Africa prompted the KSCA to install the SubAir system, which allows the ground to drain water rapidly and resume play within minutes after a downpour. This cutting-edge technology ensures matches are not interrupted, making Chinnaswamy one of the best rain-resistant stadiums in the world.

The stadium also played host to a dramatic Test match against Australia in 2017, remembered for Steve Smith's "brain fade" incident and Nathan Lyon's incredible 8-wicket haul. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined to help India win a tense match, with Ashwin later describing it as one of his favorite Test matches in India.

In 2018, Chinnaswamy witnessed a historic moment as Afghanistan made their Test debut against India. The match saw multiple records: Shikhar Dhawan became the first Indian to score a century before lunch on Day 1, and Afghanistan were bowled out twice in a single day, wrapping up the game in just two days.

A New Era and Iconic Pink-Ball Test

The most recent Test at Chinnaswamy came in 2022 when India played a pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka. Rishabh Pant stole the show with the fastest Test fifty by an Indian, while Jasprit Bumrah recorded his first 5-wicket haul in India. The day-night Test added another chapter to the venue's illustrious history.

Beyond Cricket: Chinnaswamy's Legacy

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is not just about the game - it's about the emotions, memories, and passion it evokes among cricket lovers. From hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL campaigns to becoming Virat Kohli's second home, the stadium continues to remain relevant in the modern era. Despite the occasional hiccup, it remains one of India's most spectator-friendly stadiums.