The newly built Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow might be the new base for the Mohali based franchise team Kings Xi Punjab for the upcoming season of the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL). The team management has earlier made a plea to The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) regarding the venue change.
The team management recently visited the stadium and they seem evenly happy with all the facilities and the structure. A source while talking to Sportskeeda said, “The KXIP people had visited the Ekana Stadium and seemingly liked it. However, it depends on BCCI whether they allow the move or not.”
Notably, if BCCI doesn’t agree to plea they can still end up playing few matches in Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium. Earlier, many IPL teams have played two of their home matches in different cities.
However, it will be a lengthy process as IPL’s Governing Council will review the situation of the franchise before forwarding it BCCI’s working committee.
“It is a lengthy procedure and not something that can happen overnight. Firstly, the request needs to be submitted to the GC who will then look into it and take into consideration the various factors stated by the franchise for the shift of base. Also, only after they find merit in the request they will forward it to the working committee of the BCCI. But let me tell you, it is a complex procedure and one that shall require time,” the source was heard saying to CricNext after reports came out that KXIP has made a request for a possible base change.
The reason cited behind KXIP applying for a shift in their home city that they have failed to attract more crowds that they have hoped for. Punjab has managed to pass the group stages only two times in the previous ten editions.
The newly built Ekana stadium has hosted two of the four Duleep Trophy matches including the final this year. The stadium is currently hosting a Ranji match between Uttar Pradesh and Railways.
