There will be no Indian Premier League (IPL) action in Chennai for the next two years. This was official after Chettinad Cement lost its bid for a franchise on Tuesday.
With Chennai Super Kings suspended from IPL for the same period, the city’s fans will have to catch all the IPL action on Television in 2016 and ’17.
For eight years since the IPL began in 2008, the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium has witnessed some gripping action from the Twenty20 league. CSK’s skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had invariably taken flight at Chepauk with his blistering hits and smart captaincy.
In fact, Chennai was CSK’s bastion. It was hard to beat the host here.
There is also an emotional connect between CSK and the Chennai fan. CSK is the most successful franchise in IPL history with two title triumphs, four-time runner-up and two last-four finishes.
Speaking to Sportstar , CSK Director, K. S. Viswanathan said, “The fans will be the biggest losers. They will miss Dhoni. They will not be able to witness home boy R. Ashwin who is at his peak now. In fact, they will miss the entire side which has often captured their hearts on the field.”
Viswanathan said, “CSK will be back after two years. There is no doubt about that.”
Former India batsman S. Badrinath, who was part of CSK for six years, spoke highly of the Chennai fans’ sporting behaviour and knowledge.
“It will be hard on the fans. From the time I watched my first match at Chepauk, an ODI between India and the West Indies back in the early 90s, the ground has a special place in my heart. The crowd is unbiased, appreciates good cricket from both sides.”
Former CSK team member L. Balaji dwelt on the bonding in the team and the symbiotic relationship between the franchise and its fans.
The city has often fought back and Balaji was sure about IPL returning to Chennai after two years.
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