Players thank ‘Whistle Podu’ brigade for support

CSK’s new recruit, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, heaped praise on the ardent followers for showing their support with a 21-hour journey to reach Pune. “Thank you very much. We love your effort. I am really emotional about it and it’s amazing to be a part of CSK. Hope you travel back safely,” Tahir acknowledged on CSK website. 

India’s Test opener Murali Vijay, who sat out the match as Suresh Raina came in, said he was excited to see the yellow army at the stadium. “I got to know that about 1000 fans have travelled from Chennai to watch us play. It’s very pleasing. Your wishes are really important to us. It’s very heartening as a cricketer to see fans put in so much effort. Continue to support CSK. 

Ravindra Jadeja too was delighted about the supporters’ presence in Pune. “It’s very interesting that a lot of fans have travelled by train from Chennai to Pune. They have come a long way to support us. Everybody is excited about the game,” he said. 

Dwayne Bravo was equally eloquent about the fans. “I am very proud to know that you guys have taken this big, big effort to come all the way from Chennai to support us. We are going to make you guys proud and you are the best fans in the world,” he said. 

The team management’s efforts ensured that CSK players will still be greeted by a sea of yellow for the match. In addition to footing the bill for the train, Super Kings paid for tickets to the match and overnight accommodation for its loyalist supporters, who will return home on Saturday. 

“We sent our logistics team to Pune to take care of accommodation, food and other things. We have put them up in six hotels and two marriage halls,” said KS Viswanathan, the CEO of CSK. The return to Pune will be a homecoming of sorts for captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming, who joined forces at Rising Pune Supergiant during Chennai’s two-year ban.