Uncertainty over IPL final after cancellation of CCI EGM

Mumbai:

There's a cloud of uncertainty over the conduct of the final of this year's Indian Premier League at the Cricket Club of India following the cancellation of the February 27 EGM due to opposition from the members.

The tradition-bound CCI had asked its members to say yes or no for hosting matches of the Twenty20 event, including the final, at its Brabourne Stadium through the EGM.

But in the wake of strong opposition at the Open session held to explain the demands of the IPL, the EGM itself has been shelved.

"The EGM has been cancelled because of opposition from the members," said a CCI source.

The EGM was convened by CCI to decide whether to give or deny IPL "the exclusive use of the whole or substantially the whole of the Club House for their (IPL's) invitees, guests and cricket officials for a limited duration before, during and after match days."

Rajasthan Royals, winners of the title in the inaugural year of the event, have the option of conducting the title clash this year on a revenue sharing formula with the IPL and have chosen Mumbai to host it, with CCI being their first choice.

The IPL has offered D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai as the alternative option for Rajasthan Royals. In case it was not suitable the franchise outfit have been given the option to shift the final out of Mumbai, chairman Lalit Modi had told reporters a few days ago.

CCI's CEO and Secretary, Kamaljeet Rajpal, had, in his earlier notice convening the EGM, said the IPL had offered the club "substantial seats in the stands of the stadium in lieu of the seating in the Club House which will be offered to members on a first come basis free of cost."

In 2008, the IPL had demanded exclusive use of the entire clubhouse to conduct matches.

But the CCI had rejected the demand and matches had to be held at the Wankhede Stadium, prior to the commencement of it's make-over for hosting the 2011 World Cup matches, and at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai which hosted the final too.

Meanwhile, the rejection of IPL's demands have also put a question mark over Mumbai Indians, the franchise outfit of Reliance Industries, in hosting their seven home ties at the Brabourne Stadium.

"Our negotiations are still on with CCI," said a source from the franchise, who explained that the D Y Patil was also there as the alternative venue.

But the drawback of playing in the new state-of-the-art venue, which hosted the final last year, was lacking of a five star hotel in it's vicinity for the teams to stay, the source informed.

"It is not a preferred venue for teams because of logistical reasons, mainly because it involves travelling long distances from hotels in South Mumbai to the satellite city across the harbour, for practising as well as playing the match," the source said.

The problem in finding a suitable venue in Mumbai for hosting IPL ties seem set to continue till the refurbished Wankhede Stadium, undergoing massive renovation currently, is ready by the end of 2010.