IPL 2018 Playoffs: Eliminator and Qualifier 2 Shifted to Kolkata from Pune

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be hosting a couple the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 of IPL 2018.

The matches were originally scheduled to be held at the MCA Stadium in Pune. The news was confirmed by Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday. The historic stadium had hosted World Cup finals, World Twenty20 finals in the past. It emerged as a frontrunner for hosting the playoffs matches as well.

The GC of IPL, Rajeev Shukla has confirmed the news that Kolkata will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 on 23^rd and 25^th May, respectively.

As per the original schedule of IPL, Pune was scheduled to host the Eliminator and the Qualifier 2 clash. However, the venue became the adopted home of the Chennai Super Kings. The Cauvery protest in Chennai forced CSK to move their home matches from Chepauk to the MCA Stadium in Pune.

Eden Gardens which is the biggest capacity ground in the country emerged as the frontrunner to host the playoff matches. The stadium can hold upto 67,000 people.

Rajeev Shukla also stated they had adequately compensated the Eden Gardens.

“We are happy to host the play-off matches and are looking forward to it,” Cricket Association of Bengal joint-secretary, Avishek Dalmiya was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host the Qualifier 1 and the final on 22^nd and 27^th May, respectively.

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The story of IPL so far

The defending champions, Mumbai Indians are currently going through a lean patch and need to win all their remaining six matches to harbour hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

They have already lost six matches, and one more hiccup will mean that the defending champions bow out of the tournament. On the other hand, the Sunrisers Hyderabad has been quite exceptional.

Their bowlers have been terrific and have helped them defend pretty low scores in the last three matches. Chennai Super Kings have also been one of the standout teams of the tournament. The two-time champions are within touching distance of a playoffs berth. However, they need to win at least a couple more out of their last five matches to do so.

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