What they said: CSK players and staff react to home ground shift
After it was announced that the home games of Chennai Super Kings were going to be shifted away from Chepauk’s M. A. Chidambaram stadium, the players and staff of Chennai Super Kings revealed their feelings towards it.
Due to incessant protests against playing Indian Premier League games in Tamil Nadu, the IPL has decided to shift Chennai’s home venue to Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association’s stadium.
The row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the distribution of the water generated from the flow of Cauvery River has made it almost impossible for Chennai to continue playing their home games in Chepauk.
Michael Hussey, who is the batting coach of the Chennai outfit, revealed that while he was sad about moving away from Chennai, he hoped that the Cauvery issue would come to a solution.
"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," Hussey said
Following him was Stephen Fleming, the coach of the team, said something similar to what Michael Hussey had 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," he tweeted.
Meanwhile, 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."
Billings also joined the brigade, writing "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!"
Meanwhile, both Imran Tahir and Suresh Raina also poured in with messages.
"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. Please keep supporting us,” Tahir said.
"Will miss playing on our home ground and entertaining our Chennai fans this season. You are always in our hearts. On to Pune now," tweeted Suresh Raina.
The new home ground of the Super Kings is going to be Pune. Ironically, the venue was also the centre of controversy in 2016 due to a water drought issue in Maharashtra but will now host Chennai Super Kings’ matches for the rest of their home games in 2018.
