IPL 2018 | Cauvery water dispute leads to Chepauk losing CSK’s home games

It was a happy homecoming for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they came back to play an IPL game at the Chepauk after 1065 days. They also won a thrilling game as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets with one ball to spare. 

However, just a day after their win, the IPL governing council decided to shift the matches to be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) out of Chennai due to the protests over the Cauvery row. Just before the start of the game, there were protests outside the stadium against the Centre’s delay in constituting the Cauvery Management Board. 

During the game, a couple of pro-Tamil activities also tried to disrupt the game as they threw shoes into the ground when the match was going on. This incident occurred in the 9th over as one shoe fell near Ravindra Jadeja who was fielding at long-on. Another one fell near Faf du Plessis’, who was carrying drinks. However, despite a few activists hurling shoes, the game went on as the activists were arrested by the police.  

A lot of Pro-Tamil groups wanted the IPL game to be called off due to the water dispute. They believed that the game was being conducted to divert attention from the raging Cauvery protests across the state. 

“At a time when we are grieving (over the Cauvery dispute), should we need IPL… it is insulting,” Naam Tamizhar leader and film-maker Bharathirajaa was quoted saying by CricketNext (News18). 

These activists had also threatened to leave snakes inside the stadium if the game went on. Hence, the police had tight security at the MA Chidambaram Stadium with 4000 police personnel guarding the stadium. The security was even tighter when the teams entered and left the ground.