No Whistle Podu in Chennai for T20 World Cup 2026? Senior cop clears the air
T20 World Cup 2026: Fans at Chepauk were barred from carrying whistles during the T20 World Cup match, sparking confusion. A senior cop clarified no official ban exists, though the timing amid elections raised eyebrows.
Fans heading to the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium for Sunday's T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan were turned away at the gates if they were carrying whistles.
Police personnel stationed around the venue enforced the unusual restriction, while vendors nearby were told not to sell whistles.
T20 World Cup, Afghanistan vs New Zealand Highlights
A senior police official from Triplicane later told India Today that no formal ban was in place, suggesting the incident arose from confusion among officers on the ground.
THE WHISTLE'S CULTURAL SIGNFICANCE IN TN
The restriction has sparked debate, given the whistle's deep-rooted connection to Chennai's cricket culture. For years, 'Whistle Podu' has been the signature chant of Chennai Super Kings fans, echoing through stadiums whenever the home team takes the field.
Whistles are not typically listed among banned items at cricket venues, which usually prohibit things like outside food, alcohol, large bags, fireworks, and professional cameras.
ELECTION SEASON ADDS POLITICAL UNDERTONES
The timing of this incident is particularly noteworthy as Tamil Nadu prepares for Legislative Assembly elections in the coming months. Earlier in January, the Election Commission assigned the whistle as the official symbol for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party founded by Tamil cinema star Vijay.
His party is gearing up to take on the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
For Vijay's supporters, the whistle holds special meaning beyond politics. His 2024 film GOAT featured the chartbuster "Whistle Podu," which many saw as a nod to his political ambitions.
He also starred in Bigil, a title that literally means whistle in Tamil. TVK workers have been actively campaigning with the whistle symbol across the state since it was officially allocated.
NEW ZEALAND OVERCOME EARLY WOBBLE
On the pitch, New Zealand chased down Afghanistan's 182 with five wickets in hand, thanks largely to Tim Seifert's attacking innings of 65 from 42 deliveries. The chase got off to a shaky start when spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman removed both Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in the same over, leaving the Kiwis at 14 for two.
Seifert and Glenn Phillips steadied the ship with a 74-run partnership that came off just 47 balls. Seifert, known as 'Bam Bam' for his aggressive batting, smashed a six off Mohammad Nabi to bring up his half-century. He got a reprieve when Rashid Khan dropped a return catch with the batter on 48, a mistake that proved costly for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Gulbadin Naib's brisk 63 off 35 deliveries, alongside Sediqullah Atal's 29, helped Afghanistan reach 182 for six. The total looked competitive but ultimately fell short on a Chepauk pitch that offered some assistance to bowlers. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner finished the job without fuss, guiding New Zealand home comfortably.
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Fans heading to the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium for Sunday's T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan were turned away at the gates if they were carrying whistles.
Police personnel stationed around the venue enforced the unusual restriction, while vendors nearby were told not to sell whistles.
T20 World Cup, Afghanistan vs New Zealand Highlights
A senior police official from Triplicane later told India Today that no formal ban was in place, suggesting the incident arose from confusion among officers on the ground.
THE WHISTLE'S CULTURAL SIGNFICANCE IN TN
The restriction has sparked debate, given the whistle's deep-rooted connection to Chennai's cricket culture. For years, 'Whistle Podu' has been the signature chant of Chennai Super Kings fans, echoing through stadiums whenever the home team takes the field.
Whistles are not typically listed among banned items at cricket venues, which usually prohibit things like outside food, alcohol, large bags, fireworks, and professional cameras.
ELECTION SEASON ADDS POLITICAL UNDERTONES
The timing of this incident is particularly noteworthy as Tamil Nadu prepares for Legislative Assembly elections in the coming months. Earlier in January, the Election Commission assigned the whistle as the official symbol for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party founded by Tamil cinema star Vijay.
His party is gearing up to take on the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
For Vijay's supporters, the whistle holds special meaning beyond politics. His 2024 film GOAT featured the chartbuster "Whistle Podu," which many saw as a nod to his political ambitions.
He also starred in Bigil, a title that literally means whistle in Tamil. TVK workers have been actively campaigning with the whistle symbol across the state since it was officially allocated.
NEW ZEALAND OVERCOME EARLY WOBBLE
On the pitch, New Zealand chased down Afghanistan's 182 with five wickets in hand, thanks largely to Tim Seifert's attacking innings of 65 from 42 deliveries. The chase got off to a shaky start when spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman removed both Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in the same over, leaving the Kiwis at 14 for two.
Seifert and Glenn Phillips steadied the ship with a 74-run partnership that came off just 47 balls. Seifert, known as 'Bam Bam' for his aggressive batting, smashed a six off Mohammad Nabi to bring up his half-century. He got a reprieve when Rashid Khan dropped a return catch with the batter on 48, a mistake that proved costly for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Gulbadin Naib's brisk 63 off 35 deliveries, alongside Sediqullah Atal's 29, helped Afghanistan reach 182 for six. The total looked competitive but ultimately fell short on a Chepauk pitch that offered some assistance to bowlers. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner finished the job without fuss, guiding New Zealand home comfortably.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score