CHENNAI: Even as protesters demanding the formation of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) have called for the matches of Chennai Super Kings to be shifted out of the city, the IPL governing council and the franchise are keeping a close tab on the events. As things stand chances of the matches being shifted out of Chennai are very remote, Express understands the organisers are not sweating over the current crisis as they have received positive signals from those in charge of affairs.
Though the protests have been mostly confined to roads and railway lines so far, there is a strong possibility that some of them might try and take it into the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, which is hosting CSK’s first home match against Kolkata Knight Riders. On Saturday, with plenty of voices growing in favour of IPL boycott, City Police took stock of the situation, following which, they appealed to State Police to provide more man power to protect the players and stadium. Security has already been beefed up around the stadium and unlike last week, fans are unlikely to allowed for the practice sessions on Monday.
The organisers are also aware that fans might use placards inside the venue to send a message, but also understand it is beyond their control. During CSK’s opening match against Mumbai Indians, a fan displayed a chart with “Ban Sterlite” with reference to the other issue hogging limelight in Tamil Nadu.
The franchise officials are currently in Mumbai and will have a meeting when they return to the city on Sunday and are also likely to request added security for the match. The franchise might also consider some alternate plans to pacify the fans as IPL is returning to the city after a two-year gap. In 2016, the police prevented fans wearing black shirt to entere the venue, as they had received information that some might use it to protest over the Jalikattu issue, which was receiving similar attention as Cauvery.
While the #NoIPLinTamilNadu hashtag failed to the garner public support that it was expected to, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan wrote to the IPL Governing Council Chairman Rajeev Shukla on Saturday asking for CSK’s home games to be shifted to an alternate venue.Expressing that Tamil Nadu isn’t against the game of cricket, Thirumavalavan requested IPL chairman to consider matches aren’t held in the State “until a rightful solution is attained.”
However, Naam Thamizhar leader Seeman said that if IPL matches would be held in Chennai, his party cadre would prevent audience from entering the Stadium and ensure the matches would not take place. But it is too far fetched at the moment as the roads leading to the venue are usually cornered-off on match days. The principal opposition, the DMK, which had led a massive protest march past the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday have not said anything about disrupting the IPL matches which would be held there as a token of protest.“With youth understanding there is no link between a sporting event and a government decision marred by political consequences, there will be no widespread boycott,” said Danie Britto, a resident of the city who keeps tabs on social media groups of party cadres.