After the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) home matches were shifted following the Cauvery water dispute, which has created a volatile situation in the southern city, several members of the franchise have expressed their disappointment on missing out on playing in their home ground but hoped that the issue would soon be resolved.
Expressing his dismay, CSK coach Stephen Fleming tweeted: “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.”
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.
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) April 11, 2018
Batsman Suresh Raina tweeted: “Will miss playing on our home ground and entertaining our #Chennai fans this season…You are always in our hearts.”
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— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 12, 2018
The team’s batting coach, Mike Hussey, tweeted: “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.”
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
— Mike Hussey (@mhussey393) April 12, 2018
Harbhajan Singh, the new cricketer in the CSK side, also seemed unhappy on leaving the home ground.
“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 match comes back to Chennai soon…Thank u for your love, wishes, prayers would be needed all the time,” Harbhajan 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..
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 11, 2018
English batsman Sam Billings said: “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!.”
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! https://t.co/CSd4jekFF0— Sam Billings (@sambillings) April 11, 2018
The decision to shift the remaining CSK home matches to Pune came in wake of protests by Tamil groups demanding that no Indian Premier League (IPL) match should take place in the city until the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) is set up as mandated by the Supreme Court.
Following this, the IPL Governing Council decided to shift the remaining home matches of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
