BCCI has short-listed four cities to host Chennai SuperKing’s home matches after the IPL franchise was told to consider shifting base due to the Cauvery water dispute, which has created a volatile political situation in the state, CoA chief Vinod Rai said.
According to IPL sources, Visakhapatnam is the frontrunner from among the four cities, the other three being Trivandrum, Pune and Rajkot.
There were already calls by various groups not to host cricket matches in the city when the state was facing such a grave situation.
Massive protests were witnessed on Tuesday, 10 April, ahead of the match between CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders and an identified protestor flung a shoe at CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja during the match.
Committee of Administrator (CoA) Vinod Rai confirmed that the prevailing situation has forced them to explore options.
“We are thinking on the lines of shifting the IPL matches from Chennai. There are four alternative venues that BCCI has kept ready. They are Visakhapatnam, Trivandrum, Pune and Rajkot. CSK can play their matches at these venues,” Rai told PTI.
“We have to keep in mind the prevailing political and security situation in the state. But we have told the CSK franchise to evaluate the current situation and take a final call in this regard. It will be CSK’s decision,” Rai, a former Comptroller and Auditor General, said.
IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla too said that the matches were being shifted out of Chennai, adding that Pune could be one of the options.
Rajeev Shukla, IPL ChairmanChennai on police’s assurance that adequate security would be provided. But today Chennai Police informed CSK that they won’t be able to do it. So matches are now being shifted. Pune is one of our options.
Harbhajan Singh, who was bagged by CSK at this year’s auction, said the news about the matches getting shifted out of Chennai was “heartbreaking”.
Heart breaking news..no more ipl games in chennai.. fans have waited two years for CSK to play in front of them at home..hope all the issues get solved soon and matches comes back to chennai soon…Thank u for your love,wishes,prayers would be needed all the time..
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 11, 2018
However, CSK are not playing a home match before 20 April and situation may get better before the clash against Rajasthan Royals.
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla had also spoken to the Union Home Secretary on Tuesday, seeking government intervention to ensure smooth coordination of IPL matches in Chennai. the quint
