Security concerns forced CSK matches out of Chennai, says Shukla

The IPL Governing Council chairman Rajeev Shukla admitted that security concerns forced the shifting of CSK’s home games from Chennai.

READ: Pune to host CSK's 'home' matches

“CSK had approached the local police but there was no encouraging news and reluctantly they agreed to shift the matches with a request that Pune be the host for their home games,” Shukla said.

Familiarity factor

Pune was chosen because CSK skipper M. S. Dhoni had spent two seasons with Rising Pune Supergiant and is familiar with the conditions.

Explaining the ‘lack of security’ factor, Shukla said, “Without security support from the local police, it would not have been wise and possible to conduct the matches in Chennai, given the prevailing situation.

“A law-and-order situation would not have been a good advertisement for the game and the city. We were also concerned about the image of the tournament getting a beating because of the shoe-throwing incident in the match in Chennai. It does not send good signals about the city and its cricket fans.”

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About the entire issue, Shukla lamented, “Why do people pick on the IPL as their platform to protest?

“The IPL has become an easy target for anyone who wants to attract attention to promote their cause. Why the IPL?

“It is a tournament that is loved by the cricket fraternity all over the world and is a successful model to showcase India’s organising capabilities. In the end, it is the fans who will suffer.”

The formal announcement of the shifting of the matches will be made by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Thursday.