Cauvery protests: All IPL 2018 matches moved out of Chennai

CHENNAI: In a big blow to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and it's fans, the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches scheduled to be held in Chennai have been shifted to another venue.

The decision by the IPL governing body was taken after protests by Tamil outfits who are protesting against Centre's delay in constituting the Cauvery Management Board. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) issued a statement saying that ticket sales for the match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals on April 20 have been postponed and further details will be intimated in due course.

Earlier on Tuesday, a member of pro-Tamil outfits threw shoes into the ground during the fifth match of the IPL between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. One of the shoes landed near the feet of CSK player Ravindra Jadeja, who was fielding at long-on, in the eighth over of the first innings. The other one fell near Faf du Plessis', who was carrying drinks. However, the match continued as CSK recorded a thrilling victory by chasing down 203 runs.

A Tamil outfit also threatened to unleash snakes at the MA Chidambaram stadium as hundreds of Cauvery protesters briefly took over key roads leading to the venue in a bid to disrupt the first match of this season in the city.

After being suspended for two years due to corruption scandals, CSK made a return to their fortress in Chepauk after 1065 days. However, their homecoming was marred by protesters who demanded that the games be stopped as it was being held to distract attention from the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, even before the match could begin, hundreds of protestors hit the streets calling for a boycott of the matches. Security around the stadium was heightened ahead of the match and supporters were not allowed to take mobile phones or any other electronic devices inside the Chepauk. See also p5