KXIP and DC involved in a tussle over hosting games at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium

The next edition of the Indian Premier League is still a few months away but courtesy the trading window that closed a few days ago to the imminent auctions, the cash-rich league continues to garner headlines. And, the latest news to generate the buzz is the tussle between Priety Zinta-owned Kings XI Punjab and JSW-owned Delhi Capitals for the rights to stage their IPL home fixtures at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Even though the newly renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium, which has over the years played host to the home games of the Delhi franchise, the owners of the Delhi Capitals are looking to extend their fanbase by taking the rights to host some of the Capitals’ home fixtures at the Ekana Stadium as they aim to build on their impressive show from the last edition.

Meanwhile, the Kings XI Punjab, who had to previously move their home games from Mohali to Indore, following a paucity of spectators at the IS Bindra Stadium are also not happy with poor turnouts at the Holkar Stadium and are looking at Ekana Stadium as their home venue.

Speaking on the on-going tussle, Uday Sinha, the chairman-cum-managing director of Ekana Group, clarified that both the franchises- KXIP and DC- are vying for the rights of making the Ekana Stadium as their alternative home venue. However, the final decision will be taking after staging discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, respective franchises and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association.

“We are speaking to both Kings XI as well as Delhi Capitals, and we are yet to come to a decision on this. We will have to wait and see how it goes as the views of the BCCI and UPCA will also be taken into account apart from the discussions that are held with the two franchises,” he stated.

Ekana stadium generated a record revenue when India played West Indies last year

Built with a capacity of over 50000 people, the newly built stadium has been garnering all the headlines courtesy its pristine facilities. The stadium generated a record revenue when it staged its maiden International between India and the West Indies in 2018.

“It is one of the best stadiums in the country and feels really good to see the interest. Also, the revenue generated for the game between India and West Indies (debut game at the venue) was a record,” Uday Sinha said.