The entire 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played in India. COVID-19 pandemic had forced the BCCI to shift the cash-rich tournament out of the country in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
In order to conduct the upcoming IPL season smoothly, the India board has reportedly decided to stage all the games in Maharashtra.
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Four venues – the Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium and the MCA Stadium in Pune – have been reportedly zeroed in for the lucrative event.
According to a Cricbuzz report, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium will host a total of 55 matches whereas Pune will host 15 matches.
The report further suggests that all the teams will be playing four games at Wankhede Stadium and DY Patil Stadium each while Brabourne Stadium and MCA Stadium will host a team thrice.
The latest development means that the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will be the only team which will play home matches. No wonder, the decision hasn't gone down well with other IPL franchises and they have reportedly expressed their concern with the cricket board.
As per The Times of India, the franchises don't have any issue with MI playing their matches at any other ground except for Wankhede Stadium, which is their home ground.
"None of the other teams are getting home matches. It will be unfair if MI play a lot of their matches at Wankhede, which has been their den for years. The franchises have raised this concern. The franchises don't have an issue with Mumbai Indians play bulk of their matches at DY Patil stadium and in Pune. Even the Brabourne stadium is fine. Hopefully, the BCCI will look into the matter," a franchise source was quoted as saying by TOI.
The BCCI is yet to unveil the detailed schedule of the IPL 2022, which will be a 10-team competition with the addition of Lucknow and Ahmedabad franchises.
Last year, there was no home advantage as teams played the league matches on neutral venues before the competition was suspended due to COVID-19 breaching the bio-bubble of multiple franchises. The remaining tournament was held in UAE in September-October.
