IPL 2018: Logistical issues forces GC to reschedule KXIP home matches

KXIP are the only franchises to play 'away home' matches in the IPL 2018.

Kings XI Punjab will play four matches in Indore | IANS

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council on Sunday made some changes in the home matches of Kings XI Punjab’ (KXIP) following Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) request of rescheduling IPL 2018 Mohali matches.

In the last week, PCA had requested  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.

Previously, KXIP were supposed to play four home games in Mohali between May 4 and 14 and other three homes matches between 15 and 23 April at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

With PCA’s request, IPL GC has interchanged the dates, as per the revised itinerary, KXIP will now play April’s matches in Mohali instead of Indore, while May’s matches are supposed to be played at the  Holkar stadium in Indore.

As per Press Trust of India, BCCI acting president and IPL Governing Council member CK Khanna confirmed, “There were logistical difficulties that teams would have encountered had KXIP played their home games in Mohali in May. Therefore the IPL Governing Council has decided that the dates will be swapped and Indore will now host all their matches in May.”

Now, KXIP will play Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Daredevils on 15, 19 and 23 respectively in Mohali, while other four home matches against Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 4, 6, 12 and 14 May respectively at the Holkar stadium in Indore. 

2014 has been the most productive year for KXIP in their decade-long history in the IPL. The George Bailey-led side lost to  KKR in the final after having a memorable run in the league stage. This year Punjab will have the likes of Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, Aaron Finch and David Miller in their ranks with Ravichandran Ashwin leading the side. 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 19 Mar, 2018

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