IPL 2022 at Neutral venues? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is mulling two matches at neutral venues for each franchise in the 10-team IPL 2022. The idea was floated by some state associations at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kolkata after the Indian board asked them to develop infrastructure for which the BCCI would help financially.
However, when some state associations pointed out that they don’t get enough matches. To maintain the infrastructure, the idea of playing two IPL matches at neutral venues was proposed. It will help generate revenue while also the infrastructure will be maintained.
“A small association hosts international games every three or sometimes four years. The BCCI wants each association to build their own stadium and infrastructure. A few state associations argued that they have built stadiums and are not getting any competitive games. It will be better if the BCCI decides to have IPL games in these smaller venues too so that they can get some revenue at the same time generate interest,” a BCCI official told Indian Express.
IPL 2022: BCCI set to request franchises to play two matches at neutral venues after state associations’ request
Currently, only 8 cities (stadiums) get an ample number of matches per season. The allocation for international matches stands at just one in a three-year cycle. With the addition of two new teams — Ahmedabad and Lucknow, it is set to increase to 10. But the state associations like Punjab, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Kerala do not get enough matches every season, burning a hole in their revenue.
For example, Kerala Cricket Association with no IPL franchise last hosted a match back in 2019. Similarly, Mohali last hosted a match back in 2019. However, if all IPL teams agree to play at least two matches at neutral venues and forego their home advantage, at least 20 matches could be played at those stadiums.
IPL 2022 Stadiums:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Mumbai Indians (MI): Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Delhi Capitals (DC): Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Punjab
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Lucknow Franchise (New team): Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, UP
- Ahmedabad Franchise (New team): Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
IPL 2022: BCCI set to request franchises to play two matches at neutral venues after state associations’ request
It will not be the first time either. Due to restrictions, some franchises had played their home matches at neutral venues. For example, Kolkata Knight Riders played in Odisha while Chennai Super Kings played in Ranchi, Delhi Capitals in Raipur and Punjab Kings played in Dharamshala and Indore. It could return in IPL 2022.
“There will be 10 IPL teams from next season. If these ten teams decide to play two games each then 20 matches can be played in a neutral venue. It will help states to generate revenue and at the same time, help state associations too. The Indian board has informed us that they will look into it and speak to the IPL franchise,” a state association official told Indian Express.
IPL 2022: BCCI set to request franchises to play two matches at neutral venues after state associations’ request
