IPL 2018 games moved out of Chennai

Indian Premier League matches of Chennai Super Kings are being moved out of Chennai owing to security concerns, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla confirmed on Wednesday (April 11). As of now, four options are being explored for an alternate venue with Pune emerging as the front-runner.

"We are moving all matches out of Chennai. A final decision will be announced soon. The most likely venue will be Pune," Shukla told reporters in Jaipur, on the sidelines of the Rajasthan Royals-Delhi Daredevils game.

Top officials of the Chennai-based franchise were earlier 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 have expressed their inability in ensuring enough personnel at the venue for the smooth conduct of the games.

Meanwhile, the ticket sales for CSK's next scheduled home game, against Rajasthan Royals on April 20, were put on hold on Wednesday.

During CSK's first home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Tuesday (April 10), 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 it's 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.

Source: Cricbuzz