Reports: IPL 2022 to have 70 league games spread across Maharashtra

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League, IPL, is in all likelihood will be played in Maharashtra across four venues. The Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, and MCA Stadium in Pune could be the four preferred choices for the league games to be spread across, with 55 league games to be played in Mumbai and 15 in Pune.

According to the reports, while all teams are to play four games each at the Wankhede and DY Patil Stadium, the Brabourne and MCA stadium will host three games apiece per team.

As per a Cricbuzz report, two different dates are being considered as the start date for the 2022 IPL season. While the official broadcaster is keen on the tournament starting from March 26th, the other date that is being considered is March 27th. The tournament is likely to conclude on May 29th.

Once the final commencement date is decided upon, it shall dictate how many doubleheader games are conducted. The venues for the playoffs phase are yet to be finalized with it expected to be done when the IPL governing council meets on February 24th.

BCCI wanting to avoid 2021 IPL Scenario

The possibility of IPL not being spread pan India comes in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. Notably, the second phase of the 2021 IPL was not held in India as it had to be moved out to the UAE owing to the rise in COVID cases. However, the BCCI is keen on conducting the tournament in its entirety in India this year and would not want to take any chances that could hinder their plans.

This year, the IPL will also see a new beginning as a ten-team tournament instead of eight teams competing since its inception. Two new teams in Lucknow Super Giants and the Gujarat Titans are all set to make their debut. The mega auction was recently conducted in Bengaluru, where all the ten teams were able to build their squads.