TNCA optimistic about resolving stands issue after lease extension

With Tamil Nadu Cricket Association acquiring orders of the local government to renew MA Chidambaram Stadium’s lease for the next 21 years, the Board officials are hopeful of resolving the long persisting stands issue.

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, in a media release on Thursday (December 12), stated that the local government has extended the lease of the stadium for 21 years, that has opened up the possibility "to begin the process of regularising the setback at the stadium which will lead to the reopening of the sealed I, J and K stands."

The stadium has faced the issue since its reconstruction before the 2011 World Cup because of the discrepancies pertaining to the restructuring which says the construction is not in line with the guidelines laid down by the Chennai Corporation.

The cricket fans of Chennai have been deprived of several high-profile matches due to this dispute, including the matches of World T20 in 2016 and the IPL 2019 final, could not be hosted at Chepauk due to the non-availability of the three stands(I, J and K).

These stands were last seen open for public in an India Pakistan game in 2012. Since then the fans are waiting for this dispute to end. Chennai is set to host the first ODI between India and the West Indies on December 15.