Ahead of the much-awaited 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), five cities have been shortlisted for the cash-rich league this year. However, Mumbai is yet to be confirmed as one of the hosts this season, considering the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra.
The previous edition of the Indian Premier League was hosted in the UAE because of the Coronavirus situation in India. However, this time the BCCI is confident about hosting the league in India and the five front-running venues for the tournament are Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Delhi. The much-awaited tournament will likely begin around April 10.
A report in Cricbuzz confirmed the development while an IPL source also explained why Mumbai’s availability is still doubtful. The report stated:
“Mumbai is still not final and it is because the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, headed by Uddhav Thackeray, has not yet given the final go-ahead”
As per the latest data on the Indian government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website on Monday evening, Maharashtra accounted for nearly half of coronavirus cases in the country. Maharashtra comprised 78,212 cases out of nearly 169,000 active cases in the country.
Check out how @mipaltan, @KKRiders, @DelhiCapitals & @ChennaiIPL stack up after the @Vivo_India #IPLAuction 2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣ ? ? pic.twitter.com/Icx5LhHjv3
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 19, 2021
As per the reports, BCCI is looking for an alternate city whereas the five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be dealt with a huge blow as Wankhede Stadium has been a fortress for the defending champions for the last many years.
Meanwhile, another new venue where IPL 2021 could be traveling is Lucknow. Though the city is still not shortlisted but it’s understood that BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla would like some of the IPL 2021 games to be held in Uttar Pradesh.
Here’s how the @SunRisers, @RCBTweets, @rajasthanroyals & @PunjabKingsIPL squads look after the @Vivo_India #IPLAuction 2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣ ? pic.twitter.com/xyQAgLVV5R
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 19, 2021
The bio-bubble and venue restrictions could see IPL 2021 be played in a different way as the teams would split the teams into two groups, with several teams playing several games at the same venue in different cities. The teams would then be reshuffled as they move to other IPL 2021 venues.
