IPL 2019: Final Moved From Chennai To Hyderabad

In a major setback for defending champions Chennai Super Kings, the final of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be played in Chennai. According to BCCI guidelines, Chennai had the right to host the Eliminator and Final being the defending champions. However, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s (TNCA) failure to resolve the issue of three stands in the stadium have costed the city big.

The I, J and K stands, which have a combined capacity of 12,000,  have to remain empty since November 2011 after Madras High Court put a stay on the use of those stands as TNCA altered with the assessment report of these stands. In fact, a criminal case was also filed against TNCA by the High Court in 2013. The BCCI had given the TNCA the time to sort out the issue. However, the state body could not get the clearance and consequently the final of this year’s IPL has been moved to Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The final will take place on May 12.

Read More: World Cup Is The Pinnacle Of One-Day Game: Mitchell Starc

Chennai will now host Qualifier 1 while Vizag will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. While the playoffs are generally hosted in the venues of the winners and runners-up, the BCCI was compelled to look out for other options before settling on Vizag.   Qualifier 1 will be played on May 7 in Chennai.

Initially, Hyderabad was scheduled to host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, but due to local elections scheduled on May 6, 10 and 14, that will not be possible. The city police will not be able to provide their services and thus the BCCI had to move the game to a different venue.  Vizag was kept as back-up and will now host the Eliminator on May 8 and Qualifier 2 on May 10.

Read More: George Munsey Hammers Incredible 25-ball Ton For Gloucestershire 2nd XI

Meanwhile,  Jaipur will host all the four women’s matches. While the first match on May 6 is clashing with elections, RCA has got the required clearance.

Coming to the points table, Chennai Super Kings are at the top with seven wins from ten games. Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad complete the top four.