The Chepauk stadium or the M.A. Chidambaram stadium at Chennai has a significant role in Indian cricket history. It occupies the pride of place in Indian cricketing lore as being the stadium where India made its first Test win 57 years back.  And coincidently, England was the opponent then. Will history repeat again this time, when India faces England at the very venue in a fresh series beginning Thursday?

The spin combination of Vinoo Mankad,

Who eroded 12 wickets including eight for 55, and Ghulam Ahmed along with centuries by Pankaj Roy and Polly Umrigar marked a dazzling win against England under the captaincy of Vijay Hazare. England under Donald Carr was defeated by an innings and eight runs. India with that victory announced their arrival on the international stage that they now dominate if only because of their financial might.

Chepauk also has the credit of being the ground where the famous second tied Test was played out between India and Australia in 1986 apart from being witness to other individual feats by Indians. Altogether, Chepauk has hosted 29 Tests in which, India have won 11 and lost six with a tie and 11 draws, thus making it a treasured venue in this context. Against England, though, the win-loss record is 3-3 from seven matches.

The interesting part is that the two of India’s three victories against England have been by an innings. It was in 1993, that India met England for the last time, India won by an innings and 22 runs with Navjot Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar blasted centuries before spinners Anil Kumble, Venkatapathy Raju and Rajesh Chauhan shared 19 wickets.  England fell for 286 and 252 while attempting to chase India’s 560 for 6 declared. The coming days will tell, if India will be able to repeat its gorgeous performance one more time in this ground.

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