IPL 2016: Mumbai Indians Opt For Jaipur, Rising Pune Supergiants Choose Visakhapatnam as Their Home Grounds
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shifted out all matches of the Indian Premier League ninth edition from the drought-hit Maharashtra after a Bombay High Court verdict
Highlights
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Three cities Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur are scheduled to host IPL matches
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A PIL claimed 60,000 ltr of water was used during IPL matches
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Thirteen IPL matches will have to be rescheduled
Defending champions Mumbai Indians have opted for Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Stadium as their home ground while Rising Pune Supergiants have chosen Visakhapatnam for the Indian Premier League season 9. (Bombay High Court Tells BCCI to Shift Matches From Drought-Hit Maharashtra)
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to shift all matches of the cash-rich league from the drought-hit Maharashtra. (IPL Governing Council To Meet to Discuss Bombay High Court Order)
"We had given Mumbai Indians three options --- Jaipur, Kanpur and Raipur. Mumbai Indians told us that they would like to play their home matches at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Accordingly, the IPL and IMG officials will be going to Rajasthan tomorrow in order to speak to the state government," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla told mediapersons on Sunday.
The other Maharashtra franchise Pune Supergiants have opted for Visakhapatnam as their home ground.
While Jaipur used to be the home ground of the now-suspended Rajasthan Royals, the state cricket association has been under suspension but Shukla had earlier mentioned that suspension of the state association does not mean suspension of the venue.
In fact, Rajasthan state team played their home matches of the Ranji Trophy under the aegis of the BCCI at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium.
It has been learnt that logistical considerations and creation of an easy fan base are the primary reasons that prompted Mumbai Indians to zero in on Jaipur, which has had the experience of hosting IPL matches during the first eight seasons of IPL.
Shukla, who is also the president of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association informed that the two scheduled IPL matches in Kanpur is expected to be held as per schedule on May 19 and 21, next month.
"There were some issue regarding the intensity of the floodlights and that has been sorted out. Within a couple of days, the concerned people will be coming for an inspection. I am confident that the matches will be held in Kanpur as per schedule," Shukla said.