Fans heading to the MA Chidambaram Stadium for Sunday’s World T20 match between New Zealand and Afghanistan were turned away at the gates if they had whistles.
Police personnel deployed around the venue enforced unusual restrictions, while vendors in the vicinity were instructed not to sell whistles.
World Cup T20, Afghanistan Vs. New Zealand Highlights
A senior police official from Triplicane later told India Today that there was no formal ban, suggesting that the incident arose out of confusion among police officers on the ground.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WHISTLE IN TN
The restriction has sparked debate given the whistle’s deep-rooted association with Chennai’s cricketing culture. “Whistle Podu” has been the signature chant of Chennai Super Kings fans for years, echoing through stadiums whenever the home team takes to the field.
Whistles are not usually listed among the banned items at cricket venues, which usually ban things like food, alcohol, large bags, fireworks and professional cameras.
ELECTION SEASON ADDS POLITICAL BACKGROUND
The timing of the incident is particularly notable as Tamil Nadu gears up for legislative elections in the coming months. In early January, the Electoral Commission assigned whistleblowers as the official symbol for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political party founded by Tamil film star Vijay.
His party is gearing up to take on the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
For Vijay’s supporters, the whistle has a special significance outside of politics. His The 2024 film GOAT was a chartbuster “Whistle the Pod”, which many saw as a nod to his political ambitions.
He also starred in the movie 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 assigned.
NEW ZEALAND OVERCOME THE EARLY SWING
on the field New Zealand were chasing Afghanistan’s 182 with five wickets in handmainly thanks to Tim Seifert’s attacking innings of 65 off 42 deliveries. The chase got off to a shaky start when spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman removed 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 Mohammad Nabi for a six to bring up his half-century. He was given a reprieve when Rashid Khan dropped a reverse catch with the batter on 48, a mistake that proved costly for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Gulbadin Naib’s blistering 63 off 35 deliveries, along with 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 help to the bowlers. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner finished the job without fuss and comfortably guided New Zealand home.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 8, 2026
