CSK fans cry foul over alleged flag ban at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium

In what was billed as a blockbuster IPL 2025 clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, a controversy off the field grabbed headlines on Sunday.

Saravanan Hari, MS Dhoni’s most prominent superfan, took to social media to express his disappointment after reportedly being denied entry into the stadium while carrying a CSK flag.

💔 CSK flag not allowed inside ground
Narendra Modi Stadium 🏟️ 🙏

— Saravanan Hari 💛🦁🏏 ‏ (@CricSuperFan) May 25, 2025

His viral post read, `CSK flag not allowed inside ground. Narendra Modi Stadium`. His message struck a chord with thousands of fellow CSK fans, especially since the stadium, despite being GT’s home ground, was visibly painted in yellow by Dhoni’s massive fan base. This led to heated discussions online, with many questioning the rationale behind flag restrictions in a league celebrated for its passionate fan culture.

The timing couldn’t have been more sensitive for the CSK camp. The Dhoni-led side, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, is currently enduring a rare rough patch. With just three wins from 13 matches, CSK sat anchored to the bottom of the points table ahead of the GT fixture. A loss in the high-stakes match would not only eliminate them from the playoff race but also mark a low point in their otherwise decorated legacy.

According to IPL guidelines, the use of flags attached to sticks is strictly prohibited inside stadiums, citing safety and crowd control concerns. The rule, which has been consistently enforced across all venues for multiple seasons, is aimed at preventing potential misuse of flagpoles in packed environments. However, cloth-only flags, which are devoid of sticks or rods, are allowed.

Interestingly, this is not the first instance of such an occurrence this season. Earlier, fans of Kolkata Knight Riders voiced similar concerns after being denied flag access at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, though that too involved flags mounted on sticks.

Meanwhile, Chennai delivered a commanding batting performance, posting an imposing 230 for five after electing to bat first. Veteran Devon Conway and rising star Dewald Brevis notched up contrasting half-centuries, laying the foundation for a power-packed innings, but it was the electric cameos from Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel that truly lit up the contest

This article first appeared on Mid Day