The ongoing farmer’s agitation which is centered in Punjab is reported as the reason behind BCCI overlooked the PCA stadium in Mohali as a potential venue for the IPL 2021 matches, the Indian Express reported.
The BCCI feels it would be a risk if there was an agitation by farmers around the stadium, which would “attract media attention of the world.” Mumbai is being monitored as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state of Maharashtra.
As of now, BCCI has Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru shortlisted as the venues of IPL 14. Mohali is the home ground for the Punjab Kings franchise.
“We don’t want a situation to arise where we have an IPL match in Mohali and a farmer agitation march moves towards the stadium. It will attract media attention from all over the world. We don’t want such a situation to arise. Mohali is not among shortlisted venues due to the current scenario in the northern part of India,” a top BCCI official told The Indian Express.
IPL 2021: Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh urges BCCI to consider Mohali as a venue for IPL
Venues in Punjab were not allotted Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 games because of fears of farmers’ agitation, the official said.
“Except Punjab, we are monitoring most of the other venues. The elections also might force some changes in the venue list,” the BCCI official added.
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh and co-owner of the Punjab Kings franchise Ness Wadia had questioned the BCCI over them not including Mohali as one of the potential venues for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.
(Indian Express inputs)
