CSK to donate IPL opener proceeds to families of Pulwama attack victims

Chennai Super Kings has announced that the proceedings of the IPL 2019 opening match against Royal Challengers Banglore will be donated to the families of the Pulwama terror attack victims.

The first IPL 2019 match will be played at Chepauk between defending champion Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Banglore.

Ticket proceeds of Chennai Super Kings’ first home match in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk on March 23 will go towards the families of the victims of the Pulwama terror attack, the team's director Rakesh Singh announced on Wednesday.

Tickets to the highly-anticipated clash between defending champions CSK and Virat Kohli’s RCB were sold out within hours on the opening day of sale.

“Our captain MS Dhoni, who is honorary lieutenant colonel of the Indian territorial army, will present the cheque,” Rakesh said.

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On Monday, it was announced that military bands will perform at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium ahead of the opening fixture.

Officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also confirmed to  Sportstar  that the Board will contribute Rs. 20 crore for the welfare of the armed forces in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, where 44 CRPF personnel were killed.

Representatives from the Indian Armed Forces have been invited for the match, which will also be attended by the three members of the Committee of Administrators (CoA).