The massive roars of Chennai Super Kings’ fans echoed across the country ever since their practice sessions began in MA Chidambaram stadium till their first homecoming match in Chennai. The roars which would have gotten louder and stronger after recording two consecutive wins, one in Mumbai and another in Chennai, took a different tone when several parties demanded the suspension of the game at a time when the state was in peril over the Cauvery issue.

Things worsened as the protests grew ugly when few fans were attacked outside the stadium and police had to resort to lathi-charge to clear the increasing tension around the stadium ahead of the CSK match on Tuesday. Shoes were hurled at players and cops had to detain several people from the stands for raising slogans about the Cauvery issue.

Though everyone sympathized with the cause of farmers in the Cauvery issue, many cricket fans worldwide took offence to the incident, which was considered uncouth. Some fans took it to lengths and apologized for the behaviour of others. However, the players sportively kicked back the shoes and went ahead to secure the win.

But the motive was to be heard, to be heard wide across the nation which it did but not in the way it was planned to be. So much that even The New York Times carried an article titled, “Protesting Farmers Disrupt Billion-Dollar Cricket League in India.”

CSK chased a target of over 200 and secured a massive win in its most awaited homecoming match. The celebrations which should have skyrocketed from there became dull and tense making many wonder why cricket was dragged into the Cauvery issue.

It was only seven times that a 200+ total was chased in IPL history with CSK taking the top honours with three such wins and two of them especially in Chennai. With a win percentage of 66.44, CSK has won 29 out of the total 43 matches played at Chepauk. Enough to entertain and send fans into a frenzy.

Despite all, as a result of the commotion due to the protest, the IPL administration made a breaking decision of shifting CSK’s remaining home matches to Pune, which was the home ground to Dhoni for the past two years when he played for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the absence of CSK. Reactions poured in on social media and most CSK players took to Twitter to express their disappointment.

The home of Chennai Super Kings, M.A.Chidambaram, often referred to as ‘Fortress Chepauk’ and ‘Lioness den’ got dangerous for its own players.

A similar situation happened once before in 2014 when CSK wasn’t allowed to play in the home ground and all their home matches were relocated to Ranchi due to municipal issues.

With IPL likely to be shifted overseas next year with the onset of parliamentary elections, looks like Tuesday’s CSK match could well be Dhoni’s swan song as far as playing at Chepauk is concerned. The biggest concern of fans is that the yellow army might have to wait for another two years to see Dhoni from the stands of MAC. Keeping in mind, the frequent call regarding Dhoni’s retirement from all forms of the game induces an even bigger fear that such a day might never come!

The yellow army has tearfully bid adieu to the team from Chennai and will continue cheering for the team no matter where they play, but it will never be the same for CSK!