Chennai Super Kings, too, were banned for the 2016 and 2017 editions of the IPL following a betting scandal (as were Rajasthan Royals). In 2018, their comeback year, another controversy awaited Chennai even before they played their first match, due to the Kaveri water protests.Ā ā€˜If players go ahead and come to play, we would be left with no choice but enter the stadium and imprison themā€™, declared M Thamimun Ansari, legislator of Nagapattinam, in an interview with The Times of India. The Tamil film industry, too, voiced its protests against hosting of IPL matches at Chepauk.Ā IPL Controversies- Part 26: Franchises Ban Steven Smith, David Warner After Sandpapergate Scandal.

Amidst all this, Chennai played Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk. Kolkata Knight Riders put up 202/6, and had to defend 17 in the last over. But Vinay Kumar conceded two sixes, a no-ball, and a wide, and Chennai won.

The next day, the Madras High Court put a stay order on all matches in Chepauk. Chennaiā€™s home matches were shifted to Pune. Rising Pune Supergiant, the local side, had finished runners-up the previous season, but were not part of the tournament this time. The Qualifier 2 and the Eliminator, originally planned for Pune, were scheduled to Kolkata.Ā IPL Controversies- Part 25: Sanjay Manjrekar vs Kieron Pollard During Indian Premier League 2017.

The Chennai team management arranged for a special train to carry the fans from Chennai to Pune. Over a thousand fans boarded the first ā€˜Whistle Podu Expressā€™.Ā Chennai went on to win IPL 2018.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2021 01:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).