IPL 2020: Chepauk's three stands set to reopen for next IPL season 

The I, J and K stands of the iconic MA Chidambram have been closed for long.

Led by MS Dhoni, CSK is one of the most successful IPL franchises | IANSChennai Super Kings' home venue the MA Chidambaram Stadium may likely have its I, J, and K stands reopened for the next year's edition of the IPL. 

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association had been making efforts to ensure that happens much earlier for the upcoming India versus West Indies ODI on December 15. 

Banned for almost a decade barring for one game when Pakistan came visiting Indian shores in 2012, these stands, with a capacity of around 12,000 spectators, were closed by the Chennai Corporation as there were discrepancies when the stadium was reconstructed before the World Cup 2011.

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The TNCA acquired the Government Order (GO) to renew the venue's lease for the next 21 years and the TNCA club paid all the arrears amounting to Rs 19.16 crore for the association and  Rs 2.18 crore for the TNCA Club. But a payment of nearly Rs 11 crore to the State Government is awaited from the Madras Cricket Club (MCC). 

"The lease arrears have been cleared. The documentation process should be completed by the next couple of days. After that, we wait for the MCC," TNCA secretary R.S. Ramaswamy was quoted as saying by Sportstar

It is understood, one major dispute is regarding the gymnasium at the MCC; while the Madras High Court had ordered that 12 metres of the gym needed to be pulled down to create eight metres of space between the MCC and the 'K' stand, it was still difficult to create the gap with the parts of the Club having been declared heritage structures by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). 

Approaching the corporation, the MCC will now be seeking permission to create the needed setback space between the Club and the stand. The TNCA could then on clearance approach the High Court for the reopening of stands.

"The ball is in the MCC's court," TNCA and CSK media manager RN Baba said. "They have to conduct the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and then they have to decide to demolish the gym. So it will take time. We are not looking at any deadline or anything. We are expecting to hear good news from the MCC anytime now. As soon as they are ready to carry out the demolition, we are good to go."

"The target is the IPL (Indian Premier League). Should be done by January end or so. On our side, we are ready," Ramasamy added. 

(Inputs from Sportstar)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 08 Dec, 2019

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