Sardar Patel Stadium To Host IPL 2020 Final: Report

The new Sardar Patel Stadium being built in Ahmedabad is reportedly set to host the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. The stadium’s inaugural game was set to be a match between Asia XI and World XI in March. However, the BCCI had to drop the plan because the stadium won’t be complete in time for the game.

The Sardar Patel Stadium, which is popularly known as Motera Stadium, has not hosted an international game since 2014. The ODI between India and Sri Lanka on November 6, 2014 was the last international game at the Ahmedabad-based stadium. The stadium will be the largest cricket stadium in the world once it reopens.

The old structure of the stadium was pulled down in 2015.  Built at a cost of Rs 700 crore, the new structure has a seating capacity of 1,10,000 spectators instead of the old seating capacity of 53,000. The new stadium will house two large seating tiers, each with approximately 50,000 general admission seat capacity.

According to IANS, sources in the IPL Governing Council meeting, which was held on Monday, said that it was almost certain that the new stadium will host this year’s IPL final.

“You have to wait till February for the confirmation, but it is almost certain that the final of the 2020 edition of Indian Premier League will be played in Ahmedabad,” the source said.

Traditionally, the opening game and the final of the IPL is being hosted by the defending champions. When asked about that, the BCCI official said that the final is the property of the board and the franchises have nothing to do with it.

“The knockouts are the property of the BCCI and the revenue earned through gate money is the board’s money. The IPL franchises have nothing to do with the knockout matches. The opening match is definitely to be played at the home ground of the previous year’s winner. But nothing of that sort with the final match,” the official said.

IPL 2020 will kickstart on March 29 and will end on May 24. Mumbai Indians are the defending champions. They will take on one of the remaining seven teams in the opening game of IPL 2020 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: Days After Scoring Triple Century, Sarfaraz Khan Slams Whirlwind Double Ton