IPL 2018: Snake threats force Indian cricket team out of home city

CHENNAI - Players of Chennai Super Kings have been ordered to play all their remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) home games 1,200km away in Pune following multiple shoe attacks and a threat by protesters to unleash snakes at the stadium.

The wild warning also scared police in South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which has seen volatile protests over the handling of a water-shortage crisis with the authorities, enough to refuse guaranteeing security at Chennai’s M A Chidambaram stadium, according to reports in Indian media.

A team of snake catchers from the Guindy national park was deployed at the stadium, the Indian Express reported.



The angry protesters burned debris and jostled with police while trying to evade barricades to approach the road leading to the stadium, where Chennai Super Kings made a winning return to the IPL on Tuesday night after a two-year ban for corruption.

Shoes were also hurled at Kings’ players on the boundary ropes during the match, which was followed by a threat to release snakes during their next game on April 20 against Rajasthan Royals.



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

https://twitter.com/mvj888/status/984398002579062784

'Very sad'

Chennai were supposed to play six games at home in the cash-rich tournament.

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

Very sad for our team @ChennaiIPL and the fans here in Chennai that we won't be playing anymore games here this season. The atmosphere last game was incredible. Let's hope this situation in Tamil Nadu is sorted out asap. ??????

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) April 12, 2018

“Very sad for our team @ChennaiIPL and the fans here in Chennai that we won't be playing anymore 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.

"Thanks to everyone for making the team so welcome,” said coach Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain.

https://twitter.com/SPFleming7/status/984218747605938176

Indian batsman Suresh Raina also took to Twitter to say he would miss “our home ground” and the fans.

https://twitter.com/ImRaina/status/984274757943283712

“You are always in our hearts,” he added in the message.

Drought-prone Tamil Nadu has witnessed increasing protests in recent weeks over a disputed accord with Karnataka on how to share water from the key Cauvery river.

In 2014, Chennai had to host four home games in Ranchi following a dispute between the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the local authorities.