CAB shows interest to host IPL 2018 playoff ties in Eden Gardens
The schedule was unveiled, except the venues for the eliminator and Q-2
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the fixtures for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this month, the list of associations wanting to host the playoff games of this high-profile edition of the T20 league grew bigger.
And the latest to ask BCCI to allow the playoff ties is the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The board has expressed its interest in hosting the two playoff matches (eliminator and qualifier-2) of the Vivo IPL season 11 on May 23 and 25. The schedule was unveiled, except the venues for the eliminator and Q-2, which are conventionally allotted to the home ground of previous year’s runner-up. The venue for these matches is speculated to be discussed by the CoA at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Previously, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) had staked claim for the allotment of two more playoff ties for Pune on the basis of the fact that the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiant finished as runners-up in their last edition
The MCA has told the IPL governing council that Pune will be a neutral venue. It will prepare a fresh wicket, and that the practice of the past should be continued.
Indore amongst the prospective options
Following suit of MCA, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) also expressed its willingness to host these matches. The board secretary Milind Kanmadikar has also addressed a letter to BCCI regarding the same.
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has also conveyed to the BCCI, CoA and the IPL GC that the playoff matches should be allotted to smaller centers like Indore. Indore has been the second home for the Kings Xi Punjab franchise last season and will host the first three fixtures of the side in the upcoming edition as well.
The city gained much prominence on the cricketing map after hosting multiple high-octane international as well as domestic matches. Hosting playoffs at neutral venues makes a lot of sense, especially in a venue like Indore that has witnessed an ecstatic reception and a sizeable crowd everytime an international match is played.
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