The 2020 edition of Indian Premier League could be even bigger and better.
The Indian Premier League might not have new teams added to the party until at least 2021 but the cash-rich T20 event is set to have three extra venues host matches in the next year's edition in April and May.
The eight franchise owners met the new BCCI office-bearers in Mumbai on Tuesday (November 5) where they advocated bringing in three new cities Lucknow, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram in the fray besides their traditional home bases for 2020 season.
Further, it is understood, Kings XI Punjab wants Lucknow as its second base while Rajasthan Royals wants to shift a few of its home games to Guwahati. It is yet not clear which franchise would like to move to Thiruvananthapuram, the city lauded widely for its new facility and sport's popularity down south.
"Rajasthan have requested for a change of their second home from Ahmedabad to Guwahati and while the Governing Council is okay with the move, IMG will now conduct inspection at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium before giving the green signal," one BCCI official close to the matter told IANS.
"As for Lucknow, KXIP have been looking to move to the city since the last edition and had even sent in a request. But polls had played a major role in causing a delay in the shift."
"Thanks to the great review of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium after the India-West Indies game, the venue is now almost certain to become Punjab's second home," the official added. "They earlier played their games at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali and also used the Holkar Stadium in Indore as their second home."
"Too early to comment on Thiruvananthapuram, but again, the reviews of the Greenfield International Stadium is brilliant and the people of Kerala are crazy about the game."
Rajasthan franchise's move to shift to Guwahati, said the official, is borne out of demand for share in profits among other reasons.
"RR believe that the share in profit being asked for is on the higher side. Also, Guwahati is keen to come on board and be a part of the IPL carnival," the official pointed.
It is also believed, franchises like Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and even Rajasthan Royals are keen to explore the idea of friendlies outside traditional market amidst each other, although the idea is illegal as per the IPL constitution.
(Inputs from IANS)