As many as three IPL franchises have raised their concerns over the selection of six venues for IPL 2021. The BCCI finalised six venues for season 14 on Sunday, February 28. Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Bengaluru to host the tournament, as per a report in TOI. Initially, the board had zeroed in on Mumbai and Pune for league games while Ahmedabad was selected as the venue for the playoffs, but the BCCI changes its mind keeping in mind the fans of the game in the country.
Meanwhile, IPL franchises, Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad have raised objections to the venues chosen for the season. None of the three franchises have been offered their home grounds for the season and that is where their objection lies. A spokesperson of one of the franchisees spoke about the home ground factor which has been offered to the other five teams.
Also Read: BCCI Shortlists Six Venues To Host IPL 2021: Reports
“We three teams will be badly affected. The teams doing well are the ones who do well at home, win five or six home games and a few away, and that will take you through to the play-offs. Those five teams (Royals Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians) will have the home advantage, we will have to put up with all away game,” a franchise official said.
Three IPL Franchises Lodge Formal Complaint
As per Cricbuzz, the three franchises have already taken up the matter to BCCI CEO Hemang Amin, outlining their objections separately. They have cumulatively lodged a written protest too. When contacted, the aggrieved franchises declined a comment did not deny their protests either. Amin and BCCI too haven’t responded to the question.
Meanwhile, another point which the three franchises have spoken about is that while the states having a second wave or COVID around of general elections knocking at the door have been given the rights to hold matches, states which are actually willing to host the players have been denied so. For instance, KT Rama Rao, son of the state’s chief minister, has offered support to the matches in Hyderabad.
“Open appeal to @BCCI and @IPL office bearers to include Hyderabad as one of the venues for upcoming IPL season. Our effective COVID containment measures are reflected in our low number of cases among all metro cities in India & we assure you of all support from the Govt (sic),” Rao said in a social media post.
However, with the ongoing second wave of pandemic going around, the BCCI have expressed their helplessness over the matter. The board said that they would formally announce the venues next week. In between the three franchises will be formally communicated early next week.
Also Read: IPL 2021: BCCI Pondering Over Multiple Venues To Host Season 14
