IPL 2018: Force of 2000 personnel deployed for the CSK vs KKR match at the Chepauk

What's the story?

Fearing the Cauvery protests, the CSK management with the support of Tamil Nadu police has arranged for a police posse of 2000 in number, including a unit of commandos and four units of Rapid Action Force, 3 deputy commissioners, 7 additional deputy commissioners, 29 assistant commissioners and 100 inspectors will be at work.

"The matches at Chepauk are on and we have got the assurance from the state government that we will get enough security," Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan told TOI.

In case you didn't know...

There has been a widespread agitation post the verdict on the Cauvery row in Tamil Nadu. For over a week, the protests from politicians, farmers, a forum of Tamil actors have amplified against the delay in creating the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

Claiming that he is 'not against the players', Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK)'s chief Velmurugan said that they would picket the stadium if CSK stuck to its home schedule.

The heart of the matter

The parties were all out to express their disapproval against the match being played in the state. Alarmed by their threats of protesting outside the stadium, CSK's management, the government and the TN police are making maximum arrangements to avoid any complications that may arise inside or outside the stadium during the match.

Despite star-turned-politician, Rajnikanth asking the CSK team to wear black armbands to mark their support for the ongoing issue, the team not willing to 'make a statement on the issue', rejected his plea.

A list of don't's - Fans are not allowed to carry firecrackers, inflammable materials, and firearms, besides bags, mobile phones, brief-cases, pagers, radios, digital diaries, laptops, computers, tape-recorders, binoculars, remote control devices, remote control car-keys or any other electronic devices, said Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in their official statement.

Fans are also not allowed to wear black, carry any black-colored material or cloth with them to the stadium.

What's next?

Amidst all the turmoil, the CSK will take on the KKR in their first match at home. However, a total of 7 seven matches are to be played between 10 April - 20 May.

Author's take

The matters have become worse over the span of a week in Chennai. The delay in creating the CMB has brought together all the parties in the state and are standing against them in unison. This is definitely a tense situation to be playing a match in. However, the much enthusiastic fans of CSK wouldn't wish to give up watching their beloved team in Chepauk after 2 long years.

If this is the amount of security required to conduct every home fixture of the Chennai team, a change in their home venue would be a safer option, for both the fans and the players.