Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) saga of playing home matches of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 has not come to an end despite the cash-rich T20 league is just around the corner, as Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has requested the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to reschedule its home matches.
It is learned that the PCA has requested the BCCI to reschedule KXIP’s two Mohali matches of IPL 2018, as the Chandigarh airport is likely to remain closed for maintenance work between 12 and 31 May.
According to the current IPL 2018 schedule, KXIP are slated to play four home games in Mohali between May 4 and 14. They are supposed to play two of their four home games against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the IS Bindra stadium on May 4 and 6 respectively in Mohali.
On the other hand, keeping the condition of Chandigarh Airport moderated; it seems that KXIP’s other two league matches against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 12 and 14 May respectively might be shifted from Mohali.
Meanwhile, BCCI's acting president CK Khanna confirmed the news to TOI, saying ‘IPL's governing council will certainly look into the matter’.
He said, “We have received a request from PCA and IPL's governing council will surely look into it because this is a genuine problem.”
It is learned that the IPL's GC will take the final decision regarding the matter on Friday in Mumbai. A source revealed, “There could be efforts to schedule a match or two in Lucknow.”
Besides Mohali, KXIP are scheduled to play their three home games at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore - the only franchises to pay 'away home' matches in the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament.
