Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
With the country decided, it rolls down to deciding the states which will be hosting the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. Maharashtra remains the front-runner with the most number of stadiums available. And now according to recent developments, Gujarat may join Maharashtra in hosting the Indian T20 League.
According to a report in the Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is mulling over hosting the league phase of the 2022 edition of the IPL in four venues across Maharashtra and the playoffs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. “As of now, the Board is mulling organizing the league stage in Maharashtra, and the playoffs in Ahmedabad,” TOI quoted a BCCI source saying.
The report also claims that the four venues in Maharashtra where the league phase of the tournament will be played include the 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.
CCI President also confirmed the news and said that Club is ready to host matches. “Yes, I believe that the IPL is coming to CCI, and we’ll be very glad to host it,” CCI president Premal Udani was quoted saying by TOI.
Joy for fans as 25% crowd might be allowed
The report further adds that "some crowds" may be allowed at stadiums given the COVID-19 situation remains 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." wrote TOI.
The report reveals that the officials are thinking to replicate the Wankhede Test model which was adopted during the Test match between India and New Zealand where the match was held with 25% crowd capacity. "As per that guideline, 50% capacity was allowed indoors, which means that corporate boxes, and perhaps the press box, could be filled up to 50% of the capacity,” a reliable source was quoted saying by TOI.