IPL 2019: BCCI has alternative venue ready in case of an emergency due to the elections

It was widely speculated that the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be partially or fully held outside India as its schedule clashed with the general elections in the country. The tournament had been played outside India twice due to the Lok Sabha elections, once in South Africa in 2009 and then partially in the United Arab Emirates in 2014.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Committee of Administrators (CoA) decided that this year’s IPL will be held in the country no matter what. In the latest development, it has been reported that in case of any exigency to host any of the IPL matches outside the originally designated venue, the Dr. YSR-ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag will be used as a back-up option.

C. H. Arun Kumar, general secretary of the ACA inspected the facility to ensure it was in all readiness in case the need arises. “The ground has been looked up as an alternative venue in any eventuality of cancellation of any match in any venue,” an official of ACA was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“Vizag will be ready to host any match if given the chance and more so IPL. The delegation is apparently pleased with the facilities available and also the playing conditions as of now,” he said.

“The delegation wanted to approach the district officials and other concerned people, after the General Elections here on April 11 but, however, they say it is only as a precautionary measure,” the ACA official said.

Dates for the elections

In case of polling or vote counting or PM’s rally in any of the states, the match will likely have to be shifted out. The country usually experiences quite a lot of turbulence during the general elections, but tighter security and back-up venues mean the game must go on.

The 2019 Indian general election is scheduled to be held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019. The IPL began on 23 March and will come to an end on 12 May.

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