IPL BB Mishra Sport fixing
Top player in touch with the bookies says IPL investigator BBC Mishra. Photo Credit: IPL.

A final decision on the scheduling of Eliminator and second Qualifier of IPL 2018 will be taken today, during the IPL GC meet.

BCCI did not announce the venues for the two contests earlier due to many of the state associations claiming stake to host the two games.

Maharashtra Cricket Association was the first association to write to BCCI to schedule the matches there.

Later, Saurashtra Cricket Association and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also wrote to BCCI to allot the matches to them.

As per the tradition, the home ground of the runner-up team hosts the two games.

IPL 2018: Decision on Venue for Qualifier, Eliminator Today
Rising Pune Supergiant were the runner-up in lPL 2017

Last year, Rising Pune Supergiant ended the tournament as the runner-up. Hence, Maharashtra Cricket Associaton should be hosting the matches.

However, the franchise is no longer part of the IPL, which is the reason behind BCCI withholding the decision earlier.

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BCCI is likely to continue the tradition, and Maharashtra Cricket Association might be handed the hosting rights of the two contests. The first Qualifier and the final will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The opening game of IPL 2018 will also be played at Wankhede Stadium.

The home ground of the winning team hosts the opening game, first Qualifier and the final of IPL.

Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2018
Mumbai Indians will face Chennai Super Kings in IPL opener. Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI.

Meanwhile, the eleventh edition of IPL is all set to kick off on April 7 with Mumbai Indians facing Chennai Super Kings.

The opening ceremony of the tournament, which was to be held on April 6, will now be held on April 7 at the Wankhede stadium.

It will see as many as four captains viz Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir and R Ashwin missing the ceremony. The franchises of these players have their games on April 8.

As per a report in Cricketnext, the four captains will take oath a day ahead.

Their pre-recorded videos will be played during the opening ceremony.

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are also making a comeback in the league.

Both the franchises were part of IPL from 2008 to 2015 before being banned.

They missed two seasons of IPL and are now making a comeback to the league.

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Incidentally, both the teams have got their former captains back, i.e. MS Dhoni (CSK) and Steven Smith (RR).

Here is the news feed –

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