New home is 1 200km away

Chennai – Protest-hit Chennai Super Kings were yesterday ordered to play all their remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) home games 1 200km away in Pune after players had shoes thrown at them and were even threatened with snakes being unleashed into their stadium.

Demonstrations marred Chennai’s winning return to the IPL after a two-year ban for corruption on Tuesday night, against Kolkata Knight Riders, and when a threat to unleash snakes followed it prompted officials to act.

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu state, which has seen volatile protests over the handling of a water-shortage crisis with the authorities saying they could not guarantee security.

“The IPL governing council assessed the situation in Chennai and a decision was taken to shift the matches from the MA Chidambaram Stadium to Pune,” a league statement said.

That means all of Chennai’s six remaining home games in the cash-rich tournament will be on the other side of India.

Super Kings all-rounder Shane Watson was among the first to comment.

“Very sad for our team @ChennaiIPL and the fans here in Chennai that we won’t be playing any more games here this season. The atmosphere last game was incredible. Let’s hope this situation in Tamil Nadu is sorted out asap,” the veteran Australian said on Twitter.

“I trust a ‘peaceful’ resolution will be found soon for the problems at hand. Thanks to everyone for making the team so welcome,” said Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain.