As the auto rickshaw dropped us off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the words 'Adelaide Oval' came rushing to mind
As the auto rickshaw dropped us off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the words 'Adelaide Oval' came rushing to mind.
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| Canopies at the refurbished Chidambaram Stadium (above) are reminiscent to the ones at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. Pics/Suresh KK, Getty Images |
The beautiful white canopies that crown the new stands are reminiscent of the historic Australian ground, and the renovation work done by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) ahead of the World Cup deserves a huge pat on the back.
"We finished all the renovation work in very quick time. Immediately after the last IPL got over, we got to work, and it was all over within six months. I can safely say that it is one of the prettiest grounds in the world," TNCA President and BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan told MiD DAY.
"It (the new stadium) is our own design. The renovation was not done with the World Cup in mind. We wanted to do a rich overhaul in any case.u00a0
"The white canopies were the idea of an Australian architect. The fabric of the roof is very light, so there is a lot of breeze when you sit in the top stands.u00a0The response we have got so far for the design has been fantastic. People from all over the world have appreciated it."
The old press box drew lot of criticism in the past, whereas the new one has received praise.
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There is beautiful artwork done in and around the box, which can accommodate 250 journalists. One English journalist even said that the press box was bigger than the one at Lord's. "It is a large press box, and the view is beautiful since it is at a lower level. You cannot ask for a better sight from anywhere else in the ground," said Srinivasan.
