Those bludgeoned ‘helicopter shots’ from the side’s talismanic skipper will not be on view. Gone, too, will be those long drawn out nights, close finishes and shouts of ‘Come on CSK’, ‘Go Chennai’ or ‘Dhoni, Dhoni’. Instead, silence will rule at Chepauk.
The Chennai fan will be biggest loser. With the Chennai-based Chettinad Cement losing its bid for a franchise and Chennai Super Kings suspended for two years, there will be no IPL games in Chennai in 2016 and ’17.
CSK is the most successful franchise in IPL history with two title triumphs and four runner-up finishes in eight editions of the league. On the other two occasions, the Chennai side made the last-four-stage.
Former India batsman and a popular CSK member for the first six years, S. Badrinath, said to The Hindu on Tuesday: “The love CSK got from the fans in Chennai was unconditional. It did not depend on whether we won or lost. The crowds were just terrific. They were so sporting and knowledgeable.”
Talking about his experience with CSK, Badrinath said: “I cannot forget our victories. We bonded so well. M.S. Dhoni is the best captain I have played under till date. And I picked up so much about the game, the mental process, from Michael Hussey.”
Former India paceman and a CSK member for the first three years, L. Balaji said to this newspaper: “CSK is probably the most emotionally balanced team I have played in. We did not celebrate too much during our successes.
“And we did not go down mentally after defeats. This is one of the secrets of CSK’s success. We had some strong blokes in the team.”
Balaji recalled his best moments with the side.
“The hat-trick against Kings XI Punjab at Chepauk, I also picked up a five-wicket haul in that innings, has to be among the finest moments for me. The crowd was just terrific. The image stays before my eyes.”
CSK Director K.S. Viswanathan said: “I feel for the fans. But make no mistake, we will be back after two years.”
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