As per a report in the Times of India, the BCCI has shortlisted six venues for hosting IPL 2021. The debate regarding finalising venues for the season has now been a long-standing debate. However, now the BCCI seems to have reached a consensus. Initially, the board had zeroed in on Mumbai and Pune for league games while Ahmedabad was selected as the venue for the playoffs but BCCI has now shortlisted – Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Bengaluru to host the tournament, as per a report in TOI.
Meanwhile, Mumbai which is one of the six shortlisted venues will host matches in empty stadiums as per the reports. The games will be played behind closed doors owing to the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. The other venues will entertain 50 percent of the total capacity as per the report.
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BCCI Shortlists Six Venues For IPL 2021
Meanwhile, as per the report, Delhi was a late inclusion in the list due to ongoing issues in the Hyderabad Cricket Association. However, the eight IPL franchises are yet to be informed about the six shortlisted venues. While some franchises are willing to wait and see how BCCI will organise the bio-bubbles across six cities, some are not too keen on the idea.
The last edition of the IPL in 2020 was held in the UAE. Three venues, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai hosted matches behind closed door due to the ongoing pandemic. The season registered record viewership with the fans staying glued to their television sets throughout the season.
Meanwhile in the ongoing Inda-England series, after there were reports of the three ODIs being shifted outside Pune by the BCCI, they have now said that the game will be played behind closed doors at the same venue. The three-match ODI series between England and India will be played on March 23, 26 and 28. The games will be played behind closed doors owing to the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. Cricbuzz confirmed the recent development on the series.
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