Subhayan Chakraborty in Chennai
The atmosphere at the Chepauk Stadium is always electric whenever the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) play their Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at home. Known for having one of the most passionate and loyal fanbases in franchise cricket, Chennai’s support for CSK is unmatched. However, this fervour indirectly impacted the atmosphere during Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024, which featured Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. Despite the high stakes, the crowd turnout was surprisingly low, highlighting CSK’s significant influence on fan attendance in Chennai.
The contrast was stark when compared to the tournament opener between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). On that day, Bells Road, adjacent to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, was bustling as early as 2PM. Fans in CSK’s yellow jerseys and RCB’s red-and-blue ones thronged the streets, causing traffic blocks that were difficult to navigate. On the day of Qualifier 2, however, not a single fan was visible in the afternoon, and only a handful appeared around 4PM.
It wasn’t until after 5:30PM that fans began to line up to enter the stadium. Ticket scalpers, who must have anticipated high demand, were forced to sell tickets at steep discounts. Even by 9PM, tickets for 23 different stands and hospitality boxes were still available, with only 10 sold out. The lacklustre performance by Sunrisers Hyderabad with the bat in the first innings further dampened the atmosphere. The change in music for this match, replacing the popular DJ Zen, known for his engaging song choices, also failed to get the crowd going.
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The official attendance for the match was 29,225, with a significant number of fans donning CSK jerseys. Throughout the 10th and 11th overs, chants of “CSK, CSK” echoed around the stadium. This must have been a surreal experience for the players, particularly for Ravichandran Ashwin, local boy and former CSK spinner.
A panoramic view of Chepauk gave a glimpse of Chennai’s Yellow Army, but this time a mix of yellow jerseys and empty yellow seats, especially noticeable in Stands J, H, and K. Despite the competitive nature of the tournament, the buzz was disappointing. It underscored how CSK’s absence from the knockouts could significantly impact fan engagement and attendance, especially if the matches are scheduled to be played in Chennai.
Looking ahead, one hopes for a better turnout for the IPL final. A semi-empty stadium would be a disservice to the thrilling competition that IPL 2024 has provided. The fans’ presence and energy are crucial to maintaining the tournament’s vibrancy and excitement. Without them, even high-stakes matches like Qualifier 2 can feel mundane. Hopefully, the final will be able draw a full house, or else it will be a dampener, at least in terms of the atmosphere at such an iconic venue.
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