The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has announced that three stands at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be named after Ravichandran Ashwin, Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan. The decision was confirmed on September 29 2026 and recognises three players who shaped Indian cricket across very different eras.
All three stands are expected to be unveiled with the honourees present before the Big Bash League opener between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades at Chepauk on December 12. The ceremony will bring together three generations of Tamil Nadu cricket, from Venkataraghavan’s spin-era dominance in the 1970s through Srikkanth’s explosive batting in the 1980s to Ashwin’s record-breaking Test career that concluded in 2024.
Why have these three players been chosen for this honour?
Each of the three players carries a deep connection to Tamil Nadu cricket and has represented India at the highest level, making them natural choices for permanent recognition at the state’s foremost venue.
Ashwin retired from all formats of international cricket on December 18, 2024. He finished his Test career having taken 537 wickets, placing him second on India’s all-time list for Test wicket-takers. The Padma Shri, awarded to him in January 2025, further underlined his standing in the game. A significant portion of his domestic career was shaped by his association with Chepauk, giving the stand a personal resonance beyond his national achievements.
Srikkanth was part of the Indian squad that won the 1983 World Cup as an aggressive opening batter. He later led the national side in 17 matches, comprising 13 ODIs and 4 Tests, during the late 1980s. His attacking approach at the top of the order made him a distinctive figure in Indian batting during that period, and his Tamil Nadu roots have remained central to his identity in the game.
Venkataraghavan, who is 81 years old, was one of the four spinners who formed India’s celebrated spin quartet alongside Bishan Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and B.S. Chandrasekhar. He captained India at both the 1975 and 1979 World Cups. After retiring from playing, he moved into international umpiring, standing in 73 Tests and 52 ODIs across his officiating career before stepping down from that role in 2004. His contribution to Indian cricket therefore spans five decades across two distinct roles.
What does the December 12 ceremony mean for Chepauk?
The TNCA has timed the unveiling to coincide with the BBL opener at Chepauk, ensuring all three legends are present at the ground when the stands are formally dedicated. Hosting a Big Bash League fixture at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium signals the venue’s expanding role in global cricket beyond the standard bilateral schedule, and pairing that occasion with a stand-naming ceremony amplifies the significance of the day for the ground and for Tamil Nadu cricket.
The presence of all three honourees gives the occasion a personal dimension that a routine administrative ceremony would not carry. For Venkataraghavan in particular, the moment spans decades of contribution to Indian cricket, from his playing days in the 1970s spin era through to his long stint as an international umpire. For Ashwin, the recognition comes less than a year after his retirement, reflecting how swiftly his legacy has been acknowledged. The stand namings add Ashwin, Srikkanth and Venkataraghavan to the group of legends already commemorated within the Chepauk venue.
