BCCI gave green signal to 10-team IPL from 2022 as what is seen as a big addition to the IPL getting expanded. In another development, the board is looking to add neutral venues for the additional matches in the IPL just two years down the line. Ahmedabad’s newly reconstructed 1,10,000-capacity Motera stadium is seen as a favourite to be added to the IPL-hosting list, but the city is also tipped to be the home of one of the new IPL franchises. Other cities like Lucknow, Kochi and Visakhapatnam are in contention too.
Meanwhile, states without IPL teams have requested the BCCI to be given hosting rights for the expanded IPL matches.
“Once IPL becomes a 10-team league, franchises must be asked to play two of their home matches at a neutral venue,” Jaydev Shah, president of Saurashtra cricket association (SCA) proposed at the BCCI’s Annual Generam Meeting on Thursday.
“It’s the only way smaller centres who have spent crores on infrastructure get opportunity and experience. We were told the matter will be taken up by the IPL Governing Council,” Shah further added.
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BCCI Looking Forward To Support From State Associations
Meanwhile, many state associations have come forward to nominate themselves to host those games. The BCCI had recently raised infrastructure subsidy from R70 to R100 crore. Many state units have taken the offer; some, like the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) are in the process of building new stadiums.
“We would be very happy if more state bodies get to host the IPL,” said a BCA official who did not wish to be named.
Meanwhile, franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore might have a contrary opinion on this idea. All four franchises have a good fan base at home, which is something that they would not like to lose.
“It’s also a case of not wanting to lose out on home advantage of playing on familiar pitches. CSK’s spin to win strategy at home is well known,” said a former IPL official.
Meanwhile, the use of a neutral venue in the IPL has been previously made only because a team’s home base was not available due to extraneous circumstances.
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