2024-09-28 14:57:26
All the lights at Chipak’s MA Chidambaram Stadium turned off as the daylight faded. A special building in the courtyard wakes up when everything in Chipok is on the way out! Its name is Madras Cricket Club (MCC).
It will be a kind of mistake to say Chipak’s yard. From this MCC is the creation of the beautiful stadium of Chennai. The MCC is located in the building adjacent to the dressing room, just opposite the press box. It was established in 1846, a year before India became independent. Age 178 years!
The club has a colorful history. The club did not have its own ground until 1865. The one that now houses Chipock Stadium was not the first choice either. The first pavilion was built in 1892. A club office was built in 1927, which is still in use.
Since the establishment of the club till now there have been many changes in infrastructure. A touch of modernity is in tune with the era. Although the name is Cricket Club, everything from squash to swimming, hockey to tennis is available here for the members.
The MCC in Chipke is fully autonomous, managed by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). Although both are located in the same place, they have many differences. Just as MCC members can enjoy all the benefits of Chipak, neither TNCA members nor any official can enter MCC.
Talking about the MCC, a TNCA official said, “It is completely for the elites.” All are welcome. Even a cricketer cannot enter suddenly if he wants to. The anger in his words was clear.
Currently MCC has all the modern facilities under one roof. There are various types of sports facilities. There is room to stay! Gymnasium for physical exercise, modern bar for food, library to spend time reading books! But these are only for members.
Even the very rich cannot be a member of this club. The main condition is to play for this club. There are also some unpaid memberships. Only Ravichandran Ashwin has membership in the Indian team. The current team captain Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma must take permission to enter!
Gallery at the top of the four-story club. All in all, MCC is like a different settlement in Chipok stadium yard. The club was founded by Sir Alexander Arbuthnot during the British period. Vijayakumar is currently leading the charge.