IPL 2018: Snake threat or not; CSK-KKR game is on

As per the last update around 5:45 pm, the fans had queued up outside the gate wearing the yellow jersey.

As the team returned to the IPL fold after serving a two-year ban, the fans are in no mood to let go of the first home game against a high profile team like KKR.

Animals on the cricket pitch isn’t a new spectacle. Stray dogs have often interrupted matches; in fact, during an Indian Premier League (IPL) game two seasons ago, Rishabh Pant underwent a small round of sprint training trying to shoo a dog. Pigeons and seagulls have had casualties in overseas games.

When Velmurugan, chief of the Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), a State political party, queried whether the game will go on if snakes were to enter the ground, ahead of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)-Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) game here at the M.A Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday, it may not have gone down that seriously with the passionate CSK fans.

READ: Tension flares as police arrests 10 ahead of CSK vs KKR tie

No, they aren’t boycotting the opener in the city or nodding to fringe elements.

TVK — the political party — protested against hosting the IPL games in the city as there is still no solution to the Cauvery water-sharing issue.

The Chennai City police arrested 10 members of TVK when they attempted to enter the stadium and have tightened security in the premises.

CSK is known for three things — Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Chepauk and the demoniac fandom.  As the team returned to the IPL fold after serving a two-year ban, the fans are in no mood to let go of the first home game against a high profile team like KKR.

As per the last update around 5:45 pm, the fans — with tickets in hand — had queued up outside the gate wearing the yellow jersey. The game is on.

The mood is jubilant and spirits, high. But beware of the hiss!