The legend of "D" Stand

There’s something special about watching a test match live in the stadium. It’s a feeling that can never quite be explained in words. You just have to experience it. It is almost irrational that people pay money to go to the stadium to watch cricket from such a long distance where sometimes they can’t figure out if an appeal is for a catch or an LBW! And imagine the alternative of watching it on TV, you can sit on your couch, watch every ball up and close, get to watch replays, Hotspot, Hawkeye, Commentary and what not! And the best part is if your team is not doing well, switch the channel and watch something else. But why do people still go to the stadium? As I said before - Go there and experience it, you will know why.

Since I have come to Chennai, I have not missed a single international match at Chepauk. I believe the most interesting aspect of watching cricket in the stadium is that one gets to connect with the reality of sports. When we watch it on TV, we almost treat sportsmen like some robots who have no right to normal human inadequacy. But there you see them sweat it out live, you understand how tough it’s to play under extreme heat, you see a fielder drop a tough catch and still applaud it for a valiant attempt, you see a fast bowler bowling a long spell without any rewards and you give an ovation at the end of the spell. I wonder if these emotions can ever be experienced in watching on TV.

I have been fortunate to be a resident of the city, which has hosted some of the most amazing test matches witnessed in this part of the world. Chepauk also boasts of by far the most sporting crowd in the country – who could forget that standing ovation given for the victorious Pakistan team in 1999! What more, its also Sachin’s favourite hunting ground! Surely it doesn’t get better than this (maybe a full house Eden Gardens when India is in a dominant position), it’s mouth watering stuff….

If watching live in Chepauk is exhilarating, being in the D Stand section of Chepauk is pure bliss! I have seen matches from every part of the ground but none can match the experience of watching it from D Stand. Why? Because it has the straight view. So is the terrace but it is atleast 5 times more expensive and too dignified an atmosphere for a cricket match. B and C have a great festive atmosphere too but don’t quite have the straight view. And since D Stand tickets are primarily given to TNCA members, a lot of the league cricketers and even first class cricketers sit in this part of the stadium.

So there you go – the best view, affordable, festival atmosphere and the most knowledgeable section of the audience! D stand is simply the best place to watch a cricket match. It has given me so many happy memories that it’s only appropriate that my blog address is Dstand.blogspot.com.