IPL 2021: Mumbai Likely To Host League Stage; Ahmedabad May Host IPL 14 Playoffs

The BCCI is looking to host the entire IPL 2021 in four stadiums in Mumbai and Motera, Ahmedabad. This comes from a report from IANS, which says that the four Mumbai stadiums might be given hosting duties of the league matches, while the world’s largest stadium in the world, Sardar Patel stadium might host the playoffs of IPL 14.

The success in hosting of domestic events like the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare one-dayers has made it possible for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to look at the possibility of hosting the cash-rich T20 tournament in India, after the previous edition, IPL 2020 was hosted in UAE in three venues.

Tournament Is Likely To Be Hosted Either In Mid-April Or Second Week Of April

According to sources, four stadia are being discussed to host the league matches of the Indian Premier League that will start either in mid-April or the second week of April. Mumbai has four stadiums out of which Wankhede Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, Brabourne stadium, which have all hosted IPL matches previously.

“At the moment there are discussions to host the league matches in four stadia in Mumbai — Brabourne Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, D.Y. Patil Stadium, and the Reliance Cricket Stadium. The play-offs are expected to be held in the refurbished Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. However, this is yet to be made official. The tournament is likely to be hosted either in mid-April or second week of April,” an official in the know of things told IANS.

The BCCI is also looking at the possibility of having crowds in the stadium, something which was recently seen in the second Test match between India and England in Chennai and will be seen in the 3^rd and 4^th Test matches in Ahmedabad as well.

“As of now, it has been decided that the IPL should be happening in India. In case the same situation prevails (with declining Covid-19 cases in India), then it should happen in India,” BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal had last month.

“We want to do it in India as the IPL is an Indian league. Hopefully, the situation remains the same. It would depend on how safe it is to have eight venues. Maybe we can think of a hub. We will take the final call according to the situation,” he had said.

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