IPL 2018 | Chennai Super Kings pick Pune as venue for their home matches for the remainder of this IPL

The Chennai Super Kings outfit has endured a successful journey so far at the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League. An opening day win, courtesy of a blistering 68 off 30 balls by West Indian powerhouse Dwayne Bravo at the Wankhede stadium was nothing short of fairytale return for the CSK franchise after serving a two-year ban.

They followed up that win with another belter of a match, which seen English batsman Sam Billings playing a stunning knock of 56 off 23 balls to chase down a 200+ target set by Kolkata Knight Riders after all-rounder Andre Russell hammered 88 off 36 balls in the first innings. 

However, that was the first and only match that the ‘yellow brigade’ would play at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chepauk this year after the Cauvery water dispute forced the BCCI to shift CSK's remaining home games to Pune.

"The matches had to be shifted out of Chennai as police had said that they were unable to provide security in the prevailing situation. CSK is not averse to shifting base to Pune," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said to TOI.

The BCCI had short-listed four cities to host the Super Kings' remaining matches but eventually, Pune was finalised since CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is familiar with the conditions having played two seasons with Rising Pune Supergiant at the venue.

The Maharashtra International Stadium at Gahunje Village — almost 30 kms from the heart of the Pune — will also host two playoff games before the final in Mumbai. CSK and IMG officials are scheduled to visit the Gahunje Village on Thursday. However, it is to be seen if the Super Kings, with Pune player Kedar Jadhav ruled out of this season’s IPL, would draw crowds at the stadium.