SHIFTING BASE

CSK's IPL 2018 home matches moved to Pune

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

The MCA stadium in Pune will host eight matches of IPL 2018, including an Eliminator and a Qualifier © BCCI

Pune will serve as the home venue of Chennai Super Kings for the remaining six games, it was confirmed on Wednesday (April 11). Earlier in the day, Indian Premier League chairman Rajeev Shukla had revealed that the matches had to moved out of Chennai owing to security concerns.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium will now host eight games in total with one Eliminator and one Qualifier scheduled to take place on May 23 and 25 respectively.

Top officials of the Chennai-based franchise were in a meeting with the local police to find out if adequate security can be provided for the six remaining home fixtures at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium. However, according to reports, the police expressed their inability in ensuring enough personnel at the venue for the smooth conduct of the games.

During CSK's first home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Tuesday, groups of protesters demonstrated outside the M.A. Chidambaram stadium demanding a boycott of the match. Despite a tight security blanket in and around the stadium, spectators threw a pair of shoes near the boundary ropes during the course of the match and were subsequently expelled from the venue. Incidentally, this game marked the return of IPL to the city after the franchise completed its two-year ban.

This isn't the first time CSK have been forced to play their home games outside of Chennai. In 2014, the franchise had Ranchi as their 'home ground' after Sri Lankan players were banned from playing in the city.

Chennai Super Kings' matches in Pune:

Date Match April 20, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals April 28, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians April 30, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils May 5, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore May 13, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad May 20, 2018 Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab

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