TNCA gets a nod from Chennai police to host Chepauk Test

The uncertainty surrounding the fifth and the final Test scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk has been cleared as the authorities have confirmed that the match will go ahead as planned from December 16.

Earlier, the there were doubts about the match following the sad demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association would be able to conduct the match as per the schedule given the volatile nature in the state following the departure of their leader. However, TNCA secretary Kasi Viswanathan on Thursday confirmed they will host the match and that they have obtained the green signal from the Tamil Nadu police on the security front.

“The state mourning period (week-long) gets over December 12, while the Test starts only four days after that. We  will host the match. We, however, informed BCCI that we won’t be able to host the Ranji Trophy game between Odisha and Jharkhand in Dindigul and an Under-19 match,” he quoted.

“There is no problem for us in conducting the match. Everything is in place. We had requested the TN police to provide the necessary security. I met the Commissioner of Police as well and they have given their nod to provide security for the contest,” Kasi told TOI.

“There was not even a discussion from the government or police to stop the match. The TN police have confirmed that all security arrangements will be made accordingly . We have also informed the same to the BCCI,” he added.

With the seven-day mourning period announced by the TN government ending by December 12, Kasi had earlier said there wouldn’t be any problem in conducting the match. The last time the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium hosted a Test match was in February 2013 where India thrashed Australia by eight wickets.

Meanwhile, the TNCA has confirmed that it won’t be able to host the Ranji Trophy match between Jharkhand and Odisha which was supposed to take place at the NPR College Grounds, Natham, Dindigul from December 7. The U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match between Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh held at the IC-Guru Nanak College Ground, Chennai has also been called off. The reason stated for this is the mourning period and the three-day holiday for schools and colleges.