IPL 2022 league-stage matches likely to be played in Maharashtra
In what can be called a major development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to conduct the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Maharashtra and Ahmedabad. While the league-stage games will be played in Maharashtra, the action will shift to Ahmedabad for playoff games. It must be noted that the entire IPL 2020 took place in UAE due to the COVID-19 scare in the nation.
While the initial half of IPL 2021 took place in India, the second phase was taken to the Gulf country again as the pandemic played a spoilsport. However, it has been learnt that the 15th season of the IPL would be held in India this time around without crowds owing to the threat of COVID-19.
BCCI is mulling organising the league stage in Maharashtra
Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed last week that the gala competition will start in the last week of March and will be played until the end of May. “As of now, the Board is mulling organising the league stage in Maharashtra, and the playoffs in Ahmedabad,” a source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
The report further claimed BCCI decided that IPL 202 will be held in India during a meeting with its office-bearers on Thursday (January 27). In case the situation worsens in the country, the tournament, like the last couple of seasons, would be moved to the UAE.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium in Cricket Club of India, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, and the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje, near Pune are reportedly the four venues where the league-stage of the competition would be conducted. The playoff games are likely to take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The report further stated that BCCI could allow 25 percent of crowd in the league-stage games, given the COVID situation is under control. “If the number of positive cases aren’t high around that time, the state government authorities are likely to allow around 25% capacity crowds for this year’s IPL,” the source further said. Meanwhile, IPL 2022 would be a grand affair with two new sides coming in the picture. The mega auction will take place on February 12-13.
