IPL 2018: Here's how loco pilot, guard welcomed CSK fans in Pune ahead of RR game
CSK got off to a memorable start in Pune as they thrashed Rajasthan Royals by 64 runs in the IPL on Friday.
Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans were elated over their team's win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in Pune on Friday.
It was the first time in the history of Indian railways, the entire train had travelled all bogies full of only cricket fans. This was revealed by Krishnath Patil, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM).
About 1200 fans travelled in 18 coaches of the 'Whistlepodu Express' to Pune to watch the match. The train carrying supporters of Chennai Super Kings IPL team reached Pune railway station at 11.40 in the morning on Friday.
The Sr. DCM was present at the train to welcome the fans. The Sr. DCM, however, had made his plan to go to the Stadium to watch the match.
"This is the first time full train of 18 coaches ran specially for thousands of cricket fans. We received the CSK fans with great enthusiasm at Pune station", Patil, speaking exclusively from Pune, said.
The railway official is also an ardent fan of MS Dhoni.
"I am a cricket lover and also Dhoni’s fan, not only because he was India captain but I like to see him performing well under pressure also", he added.
The driver B Gunashekhar and Guard Mr.K C Gaikwad were equally excited to bring Chennai-based fans to Pune.
"We were happy and excited to bring the fans to see the match", both (guard and driver) said. "We welcome them in this city because the matches of their team have been shifted to this city".
The loco driver took the charge of the train from Wadi (400 km), whereas guard boarded this train from Solapur.
"We are also cricket fans and were invited to watch the match. However because of our duty schedules we did not go for the match”, added driver.
B. Gunashekhar, the loco pilot and the guard (K.C.Gaekwad) hail from Solapur.
"We very much enjoyed the journey and arrived here safely", Sarvanan, the member of the CSK fan club, said.
"It took about 20 hours to reach here. We started at 8.30 pm on Thursday from Chennai,” he added.