The Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh has urged the BCCI to reconsider its decision to overlook the PCA Stadium in Mohali, Punjab as it looks for venues to host the IPL 2021 in India.
Initially, the BCCI was looking to host the league stages of the IPL 2021 in Mumbai which has four stadiums in the Wankhede Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, the Brabourne Stadium, and the Reliance Stadium as well. They were looking to host the playoffs in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, with a surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra and especially in Mumbai, the BCCI has been thinking of hosting the matches across 6-7 different venues, making bio-bubbles at each venue. Thus far, it has been reported that Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad have been considered potential venues.
While the tournament is still some time away, franchises too are open to the idea of having the league in more than one city as that will help to stay flexible with an eye on the COVID-19 situation.
"With multiple cities, obviously there will be individual bubbles. While we want fans from different cities to enjoy the games, the safety of the players and those involved in the league will be a priority," a BCCI official had said.
Meanwhile, not seeing Mohali as one of the venues, the Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh said that he is surprised with the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to exclude Mohali as one of the venues for the upcoming IPL 2021.
His message came after Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao and Hyderabad Cricket Association President Mohammed Azharuddin had urged the BCCI to consider Hyderabad as one of the venues for the upcoming edition of the league.
"I am surprised at the exclusion of Mohali Cricket Stadium for the upcoming IPL season. I urge and appeal to @BCCI & @IPL to reconsider their decision. There is no reason why Mohali can't host IPL and our Government will make all necessary arrangements for safety against #Covid19," Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted.
(ANI inputs)
