BCCI planning to host IPL 2022 in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad: Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to organise the next edition of the Indian Premier League in Maharashtra and Gujarat. According to a report in the Times of India, the tournament will only be shifted to the UAE if the Covid situation in Maharashtra and the country gets worse.

The Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium in Cricket Club of India, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje (near Pune) are the four venues that will host the league games. Meanwhile, the playoffs could be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

"Yes, I believe that the IPL is coming to CCI, and we’ll be very glad to host it," CCI president Premal Udani told TOI.

If the covid situation remains under control, the BCCI is also planning to allow some crowds at venues during the league stage. "If the number of positive cases aren’t high around that time, the state government authorities are likely to allow around 25% capacity crowds for this year’s IPL.

"As per that guideline, 50% capacity was allowed indoors, which means that corporate boxes, and perhaps the press box, could be filled up to 50% of the capacity,” a reliable source told the newspaper.

"Even in the present situation, the Maharashtra government, as per its last order on covid norms, is keen to organize national and international sporting events as long as a strict bio-bubble, and all the covid protocols are maintained. 

“This is why the state govt has allowed the ongoing AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Mumbai and Pune, the Tata Open tennis tournament in Pune and the next edition of the IPL in the same cities."

The BCCI tried hosting the previous season of the IPL in India but the tournament had to be postponed due to a Covid outbreak. The second half of the competition was then held in the UAE.