BCCI considering relocating a massive tournament
Published - 06 Sep 2024, 01:42 PM | Updated - 06 Sep 2024, 11:44 PM
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering relocating the 2024 Irani Cup clash, which is slated to be played in Mumbai.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow might host the highly anticipated match in the Indian domestic season.
BCCI in India recently released the schedule for the upcoming domestic season.
According to the schedule, the Irani Cup is set to be held in Mumbai. The Ranji Trophy 2023-24 champions, Mumbai, will take on the Rest of India (ROI) in the match from October 1 to October 5.
BCCI Considering Relocating The 2024 Irani Cup Clash From Mumbai
As per a report by the Times of India, the Irani Cup 2024 match may be moved by BCCI from Mumbai due to the city's prolonged monsoon.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow have been shortlisted as potential options, as Mumbai cannot host a five-day game.
Ahmedabad last hosted the Irani Cup fixture in 1974, where Karnataka won by a first-innings lead over the Rest of India.
Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath scored centuries for their respective sides. Vishwanath scored an unbeaten 200 runs in the title clash in the Indian domestic season.
Legendary spin duo Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna each took five-wicket hauls in the match. Lucknow has never hosted the Irani Cup before in the history of the Indian domestic season.
Mumbai Last Played Irani Cup Clash In 2016
Mumbai qualified for the 2024 Irani Cup after winning the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy. The team, led by Ajinkya Rahane, had a strong campaign and lost only once in the group stage.
They defeated Baroda, Tamil Nadu, and Vidarbha in the knockouts. Mumbai secured their 42nd title with a 169-run win.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the Rest of India team has won 30 Irani Cup titles out of 61 matches.
They were runners-up 29 times, and two titles were shared. It's worth mentioning that the Rest of India has also won the last three editions of the tournament.
Mumbai is the second-most successful team in Irani Cup history. The team has won 14 matches out of 29 appearances.
Mumbai is set to play its first Irani Cup match since the 2015-16 season. Notably, Mumbai has not won the trophy since 1997-98, and they have yet to lift the cup in this century.
Mumbai last played in the BCCI organized-Irani Cup in 2016 at the Brabourne Stadium. They suffered a surprising four-wicket defeat despite scoring 602 in the first innings.
Mumbai set a mammoth 480-run target, but the Naman Ojha-led Rest of India pulled off one of the greatest run chases on the final day.
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