IPL 2019: Tami Nadu Government Will Decide Chennai's Fate For The IPL 2019 Final

Tami Nadu government is likely to decide the fate of MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), whether it will host the IPL 2019 final or not.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) officials will meet soon to discuss the future of MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai). Since 2012, the I, J and K stands of the Chennai stadium have been blocked for the spectators due to the permission issues from the state government.

Recently, the BCCI has asked to the TNCA to open these three stands for the IPL 2019 playoffs, including the final. If they fail to open these three stands, the stadium may lose the hosting right of the IPL 2019 playoffs. Some of the board members believe that these empty stands have created a visual disaster. Around 12,000 more spectators can enjoy the match if the TNCA opens these three stands for the spectators.

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MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai) is the official home venue of the IPL team Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In the ongoing IPL season, CSK is the defending champions. This venue has already hosted the opening match of IPL 2019 and after CSK’s seven round-robin stage matches, it will host two playoffs and the final of IPL 2019.

Since 2012, it will be the first time when the Chennai stadium will host the IPL playoffs. However, at the present moment, this venue is doubtful to host the playoffs of IPL 2019.

TNCA official spoke about this issue

Meanwhile, a TNCA official has revealed that only the state government can open these blocked stands. The TNCA is hopeful and trying to convince the state government to open these stands for the IPL 2019 playoffs.

A TNCA official told IANS, “We are making efforts. However, since it is the time of the general elections, the political leadership and the administration is very busy in their own spheres. Let us see how it goes.”

He further added that the monetary issue had raised the actual problem.

He added, “See the thing is that the playoffs and finals are games where the revenue goes to the board. Unlike other games, the gate money from the knockout games goes to the board and we don’t wish to put them in a fix. The organisation’s position must also be seen.”

BCCI also has standby venues for the IPL 2019 playoffs

Meanwhile, according to the reports, the BCCI has already started to search for the standby venues. If the TNCA fails to open these three stands, the BCCI may shift the upcoming playoffs to Hyderabad and/or Bengaluru. The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (Hyderabad) is the home venue of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). On the other hand, M Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru) is the home venue of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

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In the previous IPL season (IPL 2018), the Chennai Stadium hosted only one match while CSK’s other home matches were shifted to Pune due to the political reason.