Published: Apr 14, 2016, 10:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 14, 2016, 10:24 PM (IST)
The IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla has hinted possibility of Kanpur and Raipur hosting matches in this season of IPL. With the Bombay High Court ruling no IPL matches in Maharashtra after this month, the IPL and BCCI have a decision to make. A meeting is scheduled a meeting will take place with BCCI for due course of action. “After the court verdict, we are working out the plan by which the verdict can be implemented,” he said on Thursday (April 14) at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium in Rajkot. “Yesterday only we decided that we are not going for appeal. We will be implementing the verdict given by the Mumbai High Court.” ALSO READ: IPL 2016: Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions to meet and discuss Bombay High Court order, says Rajeev Shukla
Shukla also stated he hopes to get some leverage from the High Court. “Since there is a match on April 29 and May 1 in Pune – back-to-back matches – it will be almost impossible to move the equipment in 24 hours to another venue. So that’s a technical problem, so we are going to appeal tomorrow to the Mumbai HC if they can allow one more match in Pune. Rest of the matches will be shifted.” ALSO READ: IPL 2016: Kanpur, Ranchi and Indore shortlisted as alternate venues, according to reports
“Major logistic problems is movement of equipment. Gigantic exercise. Then all those things – look and feel of stadium, ticketing, maintenance of ground and wickets. KXIP has gone back to old pattern – their three matches (will be moved out of Nagpur and) will be played in Mohali and Dharamsala.”
The BCCI acting on a PIL decided not to allow the IPL to host matches in Maharashtra, which is reeling under drought in some parts. BCCI requested High Court to allow the matches to take place, and in return promised to pay Rs 5 crore to Chief Minister’s drought relief fund. But this suggestion was also rejected by the High Court.
Asked if they will still donate, Shukla said,”We had given the offer to the court, (but the) court said ‘No. You take matches out of there.’ We will react as per the court’s order.”
“We are equally sympathetic for the farmers. We also agree with the court that the interests of the farmers is paramount. The matter has been settled by the court. Whatever the court has said we are ready to do. So far we have not received any [direction] from the court,” he added.
Earlier reports suggested Jaipur and Indore along with Kanpur, Raipur and Visakhapatnam as the alternate venues. Regarding this, he said,”RCA (Rajasthan Cricket Association) can’t host the ground, but the government has approached us that they will conduct it. We will put Jaipur also in the option. Let’s see how the franchises react. We can host [matches without RCA being there]. There is a sports council of the government.
“Indore, I have just spoken to the MPCA secretary. He is checking with the authorities because Kumbh Mela is going on and all the security forces have been deployed there. Whether government will be able to provide forces or not has to be seen. Kanpur, Raipur and Vizag are the main options.”
The possibility of Chennai though has been rejected. If the decision by HC is not changed, both Mumbai and Pune can opt for Kanpur as their home ground. In the long term, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata can be considered to host the finals.
