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India will host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, beginning on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will mark the first time these two teams face off in a Test match at this venue.
India has a storied history at Chepauk, having played 34 matches there. Of these, India has won 15, lost seven, and drawn 11, with one match ending in a tie. India's first match at Chepauk was against England in 1934, and their most recent game at the venue was also against the same opposition in 2021.
As Rohit Sharma and company prepare to take on Bangladesh in Chepauk, we will look at the five best India Tests hosted in Chennai.
#5 India vs England in 2016
India played England in the fifth and final Test of their series in Chennai. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, England amassed 477 runs in their first innings, thanks to a stellar 146-run performance by Moeen Ali. In reply, KL Rahul narrowly missed a double century, being dismissed for 199.
However, his Bengaluru teammate Karun Nair seized the opportunity and became only the second Indian, after Virender Sehwag, to score a triple century. Nair remained unbeaten on 303 off 381 balls, including 32 boundaries and four sixes, as India declared at 759/7, establishing a 282-run lead.
In England's second innings, Keaton Jennings scored 54, but no other batter could make a significant contribution. Ravindra Jadeja took seven wickets, and England was dismissed for 207, resulting in a defeat by an innings and 75 runs.
#4 India vs England in 2008
In 2008, India and England competed in a seven-match ODI series, with India winning the first five games. The final two matches were canceled after England returned home due to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. However, the English team returned in December to play a two-match Test series, with the first one taking place in Chennai.
Batting first, England scored 316 runs in their first innings, bolstered by a 123-run knock from opener Andrew Strauss. India had a disappointing performance, getting bowled out for 241, with MS Dhoni top-scoring with 53. In their second innings, England declared at 311/9, thanks to 108 runs from both Strauss and Paul Collingwood, setting India a target of 387 runs.
India’s response began with an opening partnership of 117 runs between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Sehwag was explosive during the final session of Day 4, scoring 83 off 68 balls, including 11 boundaries and four sixes. Gambhir contributed a solid 66 off 139 balls.
Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh formed an unbeaten 163-run partnership for the fifth wicket, guiding India to victory. Tendulkar remained not out on 103 off 196 balls, while Yuvraj scored 85* off 131 balls, as India won the match by six wickets.
#3 India vs Australia 2001
In 2001, India faced Australia in the third and decisive Test match of their three-match series in Chennai. Australia batted first and scored 391 runs, with Matthew Hayden delivering a stellar 203-run performance. Harbhajan Singh excelled for India, taking seven wickets.
In reply, Sachin Tendulkar led India with a brilliant 126-run innings, helping them total 501 and gain a 110-run first-innings lead. Mark Waugh contributed 57 as Australia scored 264 in their second innings, setting a target of 155 runs. Harbhajan Singh was once again outstanding, claiming eight wickets.
In their run chase, Australia fought hard, but VVS Laxman played a crucial role for India, scoring a brilliant 66 off 82 balls. In a tense finish, Sameer Dighe remained unbeaten on 22, guiding India to a narrow two-wicket victory.
#2 India vs Pakistan in 1999
In 1999, India faced Pakistan in the first Test of their two-match series in Chennai. Pakistan, batting first, scored 238 runs thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Yousuf (53) and Moin Khan (60). Anil Kumble was the standout performer for India, taking six wickets.
In response, India secured a 16-run first-innings lead by scoring 254 runs, with contributions of 53 from Rahul Dravid and 54 from Sourav Ganguly. Shahid Afridi played a pivotal role for Pakistan in their second innings, blasting 141 off 191 balls and helping them reach 286 runs, setting India a target of 271.
India’s chase got off to a rocky start as they lost half their wickets for just 82 runs. However, Sachin Tendulkar and Nayan Mongia rallied with a 136-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Mongia was dismissed for 52.
Tendulkar scored a brilliant 136 but was dismissed with India still needing 17 runs to win. After Tendulkar's departure, India lost their last three wickets for just four runs, falling short by 12 runs.
#1 India vs Australia 1986
In 1986, India played Australia in the first Test of their three-match series in Chennai. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, declaring their first innings at 574/7, thanks to a double century from Dean Jones (210) and centuries from David Boon (122) and Allan Border (106). India replied with 397 in their first innings, with Kapil Dev leading the way with 119 runs.
Australia then declared their second innings at 170/5, setting India a target of 348 runs. Sunil Gavaskar made a solid contribution with 90 runs off 168 balls. Despite India being in a strong position at 251/3, they suffered a late collapse, losing their last four wickets for just 16 runs and being bowled out for 347.
The match ended in a tie, marking it as the last Test match ever to end in a tie. Only two Test matches have ended in a tie, the other being between Australia and the West Indies in 1960.
