Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings is undoubtedly one of the most loved teams in the Indian Premier League. The two-time champions of the cash-rich tournament boast of a staggering fan base with 4.2 million followers on Twitter, which is the second highest among all IPL teams.
While you hardly find an empty seat at the M Chidambaram Stadium, the fans were hit with a severe blow when the team’s home matches were shifted to Pune due to the ongoing protest against the Centre over its failure to form Cauvery Managment Board. However, a team is nothing without its supporters and CSK went on to prove it right.
In a brilliant gesture, the team management has booked an entire train to take the supporters to Pune where they will be playing the Rajasthan Royals tomorrow.
The franchise reserved 13 coaches and one AC for its fans with all expenses including fare, food, stay and local transportation at Pune to be borne by the team. Not only that, but the team has promised to arrange the same for all the home matches to be held in Pune depending on the availability of trains.
The idea of booking a train for these crazy fans was put forward to the franchise by the CSK Fan Club. And guess what? The #WhistlePoduExpress is now a trending topic on Twitter.
Super fun in the #WhistlePoduExpress! 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/BME1l6QGhp
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2018
#Yellove gangsss! En route Pune on #WhistlePoduExpress 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/hgvIvBlfNM
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2018
#WhistlePoduExpress painted yellow! 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/uX4cLZPamq
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2018
Gaana Super Kings! #WhistlePodu #WhistlePoduExpress 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/ujFgAYEORe
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2018
The wonderful step was rightfully lauded by the Tweeple
Have to say I am LOVING what @ChennaiIPL continues to do in their connect with the fans this #IPL2018!
The #WhistlePoduExpress to Pune is filled with passionate lovers of the game & is a true testament to what the spirit of the #IPL is all about!#CSK #WhistlePodu #BESTvsBEST https://t.co/JNZilhYk26
— Suhail Chandhok (@suhailchandhok) April 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/CricSuperFan/status/986862559335612416
Not just banners. A cartload of refreshments was sent along too. This is an incredibly sweet reception for the #WhistlePoduArmy travelling on the #WhistlePoduExpress 🙂 pic.twitter.com/vBd17ffLtg
— Harish (@_curses) April 19, 2018
This kind of adulation, love and support is what makes them very special. @ChennaiIPL as a franchise is extremely blessed to have such passionate fans who carry a sense of pride, positive energy & whistles wherever they go to cheer for their team 👌 #WhistlePoduExpress https://t.co/NAu0B7abgw
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/RaveeenaAgg/status/986821543823982592
The decision to shift the home matches from Chennai was taken because of the protests from the Tamils groups demanding that no IPL match should take place in the city until the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) is set up.
Nonetheless, thanks to the Chennai Super Kings, we are now in for the same kind of madness at Pune!