The fact that Chennai won't host any more IPL games this year has left Chennai Super Kings players sad and its fans angry. This is how they reacted on Twitter to the news of the home matches being shifted to Pune, owing to security concerns in the backdrop of protests by various groups for the formation of the Cauvery management board:
Chennai Super Kings' Twitter handle said: “Having to shift the Home matches from the Den was not something that was on the cards. The Lions will roar in Pune and would like to thank all the Super Fans from the #WhistlePoduArmy for all the #Yellove support. Keep them whistles coming!”
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IPL Governing Council chairman Rajeev Shukla later admitted that security concerns forced the shifting of CSK’s home games from Chennai.
New to CSK, seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh tweeted: “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.”
Expressing sadness, South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis said in a tweet: “Sad to be leaving Chennai and not be able to come back this season..#whistlepodu.”
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Suresh Raina, yet another CSK player, tweeted: “Will miss playing on our home ground and entertaining our #Chennai fans this season...You are always in our hearts. On to #Pune now! #IPL2018.”
CSK batting coach Mike Hussey also took to Twitter: “Very sad that we have to play our remaining home games away from Chennai. Feeling for the players and the fans but also hoping for a peaceful and swift resolution to the current problems. Thanks for the incredible support of all the Csk fans.”
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said: “Very sad for our team @ChennaiIPL and the fans here in Chennai that we won't be playing anymore games here this season. The atmosphere last game was incredible. Let's hope this situation in Tamil Nadu is sorted out asap.”
CSK batsman Imran Tahir expressed his view too: “Extremely sad to leave chennai.All I got here is warm welcome and unconditional love.Hopefully everything will be good when we come back here next year. Pls keep supporting us.yendrendrum anbudan ungal udanpirava sagotharan #vettaikku ready a?”
CSK chief coach and former New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming said, “Sad to be leaving Chennai today. Great to be back and again experience the love and passion the Tamil Nadu fans have for cricket and CSK. I trust a ‘peaceful’ resolution is found soon for the problems at hand. Thanks to everyone for making the team so welcome.”
England wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings tweeted on the same lines, “Gutted that we have had to move from Chepauk, the atmosphere was unbelievable! Thoughts with the fan who was badly hurt last night, no one should go to watch & end up in hospital. Hope he recovers soon & all issues are resolved. Keep supporting us it makes a huge difference!”
Kevin Pietersen expressed his view on the same, even though he isn't a part of IPL, “Having commentated on Chennai’s return to the IPL a few days ago & now hearing all the games have moved to Pune, I’m extremely sad for those passionate and quite wonderful supporters of the CSK franchise.”
Noted cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle seemed to share his sentiments with the fans, saying, “I so feel for the fans in Chennai who supported their team with so much passion and commitment. I thought matches in Chennai would be one of the highlights of the IPL.”
Former Indian team cricketer and now the coach of Super Gillies team of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Hemang Badani expressed his sadness. He said, “Very sad and disappointed that Matches in Chennai are being moved out. Fans of @ChennaiIPL and the players deserve a lot more than this. Nevertheless, the support is going to get only better because of this.”
Actor Siddharth tweeted: “IPL shifted. Vaazhthukkal. Can we please close tasmac? Next can we shut all TV channels owned by politicians? Can we please ban party flags at protest venues? There are many embarrassing things and people in our TN! Fight together. #SaveFarmers #CauveryIssue.”
Actor-RJ Balaji said: “Now IPL is shifted, ppl who wanted national attentn, got tat right? Ipo Cauvery Management Board vandhurum la. (Now we'll get Cauvery Management Board). Only thing thy managed to do is to divert attention frm cauvery to cricket to violence. No sensible Tamizhan wil supprt thse unruly manipulative selfish methods.”
Actor Vishnu Vishal tweeted: “Protests..shoes thrown at players..common people abused and some innocent ppl beaten up ..#IPL venue shifted..wat nxt? Reqst to all..plz dont get misguided by some miscreants who r always tryin to make wrong use of our emotions for their personal gains #CauveryWaterManagement.”
Fans also took turns to react to Chennai's 'loss' and Pune's 'gain'.