*NEW DELHI: *Protest-hit Chennai Super Kings were Thursday ordered to playall their remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) home games 1,200 kilometresaway in Pune after players had shoes thrown at them and were threatenedwith snakes being unleashed into their stadium.
Demonstrations marred Chennai’s winning return to the IPL after a two-yearban for corruption on Tuesday night, against Kolkata Knight Riders, andwhen a threat to unleash snakes followed it prompted the officials to act.
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu state, which has seen volatileprotests over the handling of a water-shortage crisis with the authoritiessaying they could not guarantee security at Super Kings’ matches.
“The IPL governing council assessed the current situation in Chennai and adecision was taken to shift the matches from the MA Chidambaram Stadium toPune,” a league statement said on Thursday.
That means all of Chennai’s six remaining home games in the cash-richtournament will be on the other side of India 1,200 kilometres (750 miles)away.
Super Kings all-rounder Shane Watson was among the first to comment.
“Very sad for our team @ChennaiIPL and the fans here in Chennai that wewon’t be playing anymore games here this season. The atmosphere last gamewas incredible. Let’s hope this situation in Tamil Nadu is sorted outasap,” the veteran Australian said on Twitter.
“I trust a ‘peaceful’ resolution is found soon for the problems at hand.Thanks to everyone for making the team so welcome,” said coach StephenFleming, the former New Zealand captain.
Senior batsman Suresh Raina also took to Twitter to say he would miss “ourhome ground” and the fans. “You are always in our hearts,” he added in themessage.
Tuesday’s victory over Kolkata was a triumphant return to their home groundafter a two-year ban for illegal gambling, but it was soured by angryprotests outside the stadium.
Protesters — trying to raise awareness about long-running water disputewith neighbouring Karnataka state — burned debris and jostled with police.
Shoes were hurled at Chennai players on the boundary ropes during the match.
A Tamil group on Wednesday threatened to release snakes during the SuperKings’ next match on April 20 against Rajasthan Royals.
“We had decided that we will host all matches in Chennai after we arepromised fool-proof security there. But today they (local authorities)informed CSK that they will not be able to handle security,” IPL chairmanRajeev Shukla told reporters on Wednesday.
Drought-prone Tamil Nadu has witnessed increasing protests in recent weeksover a disputed accord with Karnataka on how to share water from the keyCauvery River.
In 2014, Chennai had to host four home games in Ranchi following a disputebetween the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the local authorities. -APP/AFP