IPL 2025: Agartala likely to be KKR's second home venue

The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata is set to undergo a massive makeover in 2025 ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. For the same reason, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders may move their base to some other stadium for a few if not all the matches. Tripura is the frontrunner as the state could join the list of venues to host the IPL.

Notably, the construction for the international cricket stadium at Narsingarh began in 2017 for an estimated cost of INR 185 crore and is now nearly ready to host games. Tripura Cricket Association secretary Subrata Dey confirmed that the stadium will be ready by February 2025.

He confirmed that the stadium could host KKR or some state could take the benefit. Interestingly, Subrata also confirmed that in case the work isn’t completed in the remaining time, they would terminate the contract of the firm and appoint a new one.

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“IPL chairman Arun Kumar Dhumal recently visited the proposed international stadium at Narsingarh on the outskirts of the state capital. He said if the stadium’s is ready before February next year, it could be made second home ground of KKR or some else other state will get the benefit,” Subarta was quoted as saying by News18.

“Since it is a golden chance to host IPL matches at the proposed stadium, we have summoned a reputed construction agency to expedite work and get it completed by February 2025. The TCA will review the construction work and if the agency fails to meet the deadline, we will terminate it and engage a new firm to complete the remaining work,” he added.

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The deadline to set up the stadium was 22 months but it has been seven years since the project began. The TCA has asked the firm to finish the remaining work in the stipulated time as he is assured of hosting at least two of KKR’s matches next year.

“If we could complete the stadium’s work by February next year, I am confident of hosting at least two IPL matches of KKR at Narsingarh International Cricket Stadium”, he said.