Top 5 One Day Internationals held in Chennai

The M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is an iconic ground in India, and has been witness to several riveting encounters in the limited-overs format. To date, 21 One-Day International games have been organised at the stadium.

India’s record at the ground isn’t disappointing by any stretch of the imagination. In 12 games, they won six and lost four, with two games called off due to rain.

Apart from India, other nations too have also dished out some jaw-dropping encounters at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium.

As we wait for the first ODI between India and Australia at the same venue, we take you through the five best matches in Chennai.

#5 Pakistan beat India by 35 runs, 2012

In 2012, Pakistan toured India for a One-Day and a T-20 International series. In the first ODI in Chennai, Pakistan blazed away to a rollicking start as India were reduced to 29/5 in the first ten overs of the game.

Junaid Khan was the wrecker-in-chief, as he picked up four wickets in his opening spell. However, India clawed their way back into the contest through a hard-fought century from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He also received support from Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin.

During Pakistan’s run-chase, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a couple of early wickets to push their opposition back on the back-foot. However, Nasir Jamshed put his head down for a brilliant hundred that helped Pakistan take a lead of 1-0 in the series.

#4 Asia XI beat Africa XI by 13 runs, 2007

The Afro-Asia Cup in 2007 turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Asia XI bagged the series by a margin of 3-0. The third game was played in Chennai, and it was easily the most enthralling of the 3-match series.

After Asia XI won the toss and elected to bat, Mahela Jayawardene’s men found themselves in all sorts of trouble as they lost half their side within the first 17 overs. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the skipper himself bailed them out with a stand of 218 runs in 30 overs, which guided Asia XI to a total of 331 runs.

Even Africa XI found it difficult during the early part of their chase. However, with a partnership of 122 runs between Justin Kemp and Shaun Pollock, they brought down the required runs significantly. The target eventually turned out to be a bit too much as they fell short by 13 runs.

#3 England beat West Indies by 18 runs, 2011

Andre Russell's efforts with both bat and ball went in vain

The contest between England and West Indies in the 2011 World Cup went right down to the wire. However, it was England who held their nerve and emerged victorious in the close-fought game at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

After England won the toss and elected to bat, the Caribbean bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals and got them on the mat. Andre Russell went for runs but picked up wickets at crucial moments to restrict England to a low total.

For most of their chase, the West Indies batsmen struggled to get the measure of the English bowlers. Andre Russell and Darren Sammy’s 72-run stand brought West Indies back into the game. However, with 22 runs required from the last 52 balls, Sammy’s men lost four wickets for four runs and eventually, the encounter - from a strong position.

#2 England beat South Africa by 6 runs, 2011

England snatched victory from the jaws of defeat

The 2011 World Cup encounter between England and South Africa was indeed a low-scoring affair, but there wasn’t any dearth of entertainment during the course of the game. Both teams fought tooth and nail to get the better of each other. Eventually, it was England who emerged victorious in the nail-biting encounter.

England got off to the worst possible start when they lost their first three wickets within the first three overs. However, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell stitched together a 99-run stand, which garnered some momentum back for England.

Nevertheless, England lost a flurry of wickets and were bundled out for 171 runs. South Africa made steady progress during their chase till the 32nd over. Nonetheless, the Proteas stumbled at the finishing line and fell short by six runs.

#1 Australia beat India by 1 run, 1987

Maninder Singh was castled by Steve Waugh to seal the deal for Australia

The Indian team, led by Kapil Dev, performed exceptionally well in 1987 Reliance World Cup, hosted by the Indian sub-continent. Out of their six league games, they won five of them without much fuss. Their only defeat came against Australia in their opening game.

On a decent batting wicket in Chennai, India won the toss and elected to field first. David Boon and Geoff Marsh kept the Indian bowlers at bay and smashed their way to a stand of 110 runs for the opening wicket. Aided by Marsh’s third ODI ton, Australia posted a competitive total of 270/6.

During the chase, India were in with every chance of winning the game, but lost wickets at regular intervals. India eventually required one run from the last couple of deliveries, but Steve Waugh cleaned up Maninder Singh to open Australia’s account in the tournament.