With Indian Premier League (IPL) returning to Chennai after a period of two years, it was once again a happy time for thousands of die-hard supporters. But after one game, the joy of watching CSK’s home games at Chepauk is over for the fans. This comes after the Chennai police’s decision of not being able to provide adequate security measures in wake of widespread protests in the city.
One would feel for the fans in Chennai, who supported the Super Kings with so much passion and commitment over the years. Many would have thought that the matches in Chennai would be one of the highlights of the IPL 2018 season, but now it has gone all sour.
It is a big blow for the franchise as they have enjoyed a lot of success at the home stadium including a blockbuster 203-run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in their second match of the IPL 11 season. Chennai is currently going under a lot of tension in wake of protests regarding the Cauvery water crisis issue.
CSK will now have to play their home games in Pune according to reports.
Here we analyse the entire matter and what holds for the yellow brigade.
Widespread protests in Chennai a bane for CSKÂ
The Cauvery water dispute has led to protests in the city of Chennai. Thousands of pro-Tamil activists have come on streets and were also seen outside the stadium in the team’s match against KKR on Tuesday.
Pro-Tamil groups have called for a boycott of IPL in Chennai citing that the matches are turning the attention away from the core issue surrounding the Cauvery. And this, in turn, has hit cricket and its fans hard.
CSK to miss the home comfort
The franchise enjoyed their cricket at the M Chidambaram stadium over the years as the venue went on to become one of the most feared grounds in IPL. CSK thrived here and built a fortress where teams often found it impossible to breach. And now with the shift of matches to a new stadium, MS Dhoni’s side will be gutted.
CSK have played 48 matches at Chepauk including the one against KKR on Tuesday. They have won 34 games here and lost 14. The crowd support was immense at Chepauk and fans with yellow banners made it look lively and bouncy. Their support will be missed tremendously with the home factor coming into play.
Protestors beat up ardent CSK fan
Certain pro-Tamil group supporters took poor measures in handling their protests. Staunch CSK supporter and team mascot Saravanan Hari, known for his characteristic yellow-paint look at IPL games, was attacked by a group of protesters outside the stadium on Tuesday.
Reports in media claimed that the CSK and MS Dhoni fan felt the brunt of protestors. People ganged up on him and hit him outside a jewellery shop prior to the game against KKR. Hari said that several people hit him badly and ran away.
A protester was spotted hurling a shoe at Ravindra Jadeja during the match against KKR.
Still we have a lots of love and care for our csk fans. #fans #csk pic.twitter.com/HRE0fu0sEW
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) April 11, 2018
Can CSK make it count in Pune?
The BCCI had short-listed four cities that could go on to host home games of CSK. Reports claimed that Visakhapatnam was being considered as the favourite option, with logistical reasons being cited as the city getting the nod. The other three possibilities were Pune, Rajkot and Trivandrum.
As per reports, CSK has opted for Pune as their new venue to host the matches. MS Dhoni, who represented the Rising Pune Supergiants for two seasons, knows the conditions well. Last season RPS won five out of their six games in the IPL here. What is necessary for Dhoni and Co. is to move on from the latest issue and keep continuing to perform in the best capabilities.