The Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore was hopeful of getting maximum home games at Eden Gardens in the upcoming 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 despite having seven-phase polling in West Bengal during the upcoming general elections.

Mr. Mysore further went on to reveal that the franchise had a meeting with the authorities on Wednesday (13 March) and they are now waiting for the clarification regarding the same.

While the T20 event is slated to get underway from March 23 and end on May 12, the general elections will be held in seven phases between April 11 and May 19, and there are possible chances that some of KKR’s home matches may be shifted to neutral venues, as West Bengal will have elections in all seven phases -April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6, 12 and 19.

According to the current two-week IPL 2019 schedule, the franchise will be playing two home games against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 24 and King XI Punjab (KXIP) on March 27 and two away games against Delhi Capitals on March 30 and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 5.

Mysore told reporters on Wednesday in Kolkata, “We have had some good meetings with the concerned authorities today, so fingers crossed. We are waiting for some clarification. I think they (authorities) are very keen to make sure that we play in Eden. If all goes well, we will play our home games here only.”

The CEO continued, “Now that the date of the elections has come out, the authorities are taking a hard look at how they can ensure we play as many as possible matches in Kolkata.”

Meanwhile, he also said that the franchise has already back-up plans if security deployment becomes an issue during the polls.

Mysore signed off by saying, “In case we cannot play at the Eden, then we have a plan B and plan C ready. We had a meeting today. Let’s see. All our fans, as well as the team, wants us to play at the Eden.”

(With PTI Inputs)