MS Dhoni opened the new Velammal Cricket Stadium in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on October 9, 2025, marking an important moment for cricket in the area. Dhoni’s arrival at the Madurai airport drew huge crowds of excited fans. He spent time interacting with students, took a few inaugural practice shots on the main pitch, and was warmly welcomed by cricket lovers and local residents alike.
Details of the Velammal Cricket Stadium
The Velammal Cricket Stadium was built by the Velammal Educational Trust with help from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) at a cost of ₹325 crore. It covers 11.5 acres near Velammal Hospital on Chinthamani Ring Road in Madurai.
The stadium includes top-class facilities such as:
- Several practice pitches and a players’ lounge
- A gym, medical center, and ambulance services
- Modern lighting, drainage, and security systems with expert-installed floodlights
- Seating for 7,300 spectators, with plans to expand to 20,000
- Around 197 CCTV cameras for safety and monitoring
Seating Capacity and Future Expansion Plan
The Velammal Cricket Stadium in Madurai can currently seat 7,300 people, but there are plans to expand it to 20,000 seats in the future. This expansion will help the venue host bigger national tournaments and possibly major events like the IPL. Once completed, it will become Tamil Nadu’s second-largest cricket ground after Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, boosting the region’s sports infrastructure.
Significance and Uses
The Velammal Cricket Stadium is set to play a key role in promoting cricket in southern Tamil Nadu. It will serve as a venue for domestic matches, training camps, and youth tournaments, giving young players more opportunities to develop their skills. The stadium’s modern facilities also make it suitable for hosting major national events in the future, helping to spread cricket’s popularity beyond Chennai and strengthen the state’s overall sports ecosystem.