The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to be played from March 27 to May 28 across six venues in Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad, Sportstar reported on Saturday (February 19).

According to the report, the BCCI has zeroed in on five venues in Maharashtra for the 70-match league stage. The play-off fixtures, including the final, are likely to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Maharashtra option was shortlisted since holding the matches in Mumbai and Pune will eliminate flight travel, which was one of the concerns for the BCCI after COVID cases in the bio-bubble last year.

As per the report, the proposal was discussed with the representatives of the franchises during the IPL 2022 mega-auction last week.

The BCCI is confident of hosting the tournament in Maharashtra’s leading venues – the Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, and the MCA Stadium. Now, the board has reportedly added Navi Mumbai’s Jio Stadium to the list in order to maintain the nature of the pitches.

The Jio Stadium has been the training facility for Mumbai Indians for some years now. The IPL authorities are likely to carry out a broadcast recce of the venue next week as the BCCI is considering staging a handful of matches there.

The report further says that the Indian board will unveil the detailed schedule of the cash-rich tournament by the end of this month.

Notably, the IPL 2022 will be a 10-team competition with the addition of Lucknow and Ahmedabad franchises.

(With Sportstar inputs)