The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 franchises have voiced their objection to five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) playing at their home venue Wankhede Stadium. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering holding the 15th edition of the IPL across six venues in Maharashtra.
Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad have been shortlisted as the three cities for hosting the 70 IPL 2022 league games by the Indian board to stage nearly 70 IPL matches for IPL 2022. Five venues in Maharashtra, four of which are in the capital city Mumbai itself, are part of the planning.
ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar To Sue A Casino For Using His Morphed Images
According to the recent reports by Sportstar, the BCCI shortlisted Wankhede Stadium (home ground of Mumbai Indians), Brabourne Stadium, Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium, and the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune were part of the earlier proposal. BCCI has also added Jio Stadium in Navi Mumbai as the fifth venue in the Maharashtra state. The playoffs are expected to be placed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The BCCI’s plan to stage IPL in one city is to avoid the risk of air travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the franchises have expressed their concerns with Mumbai Indians enjoying the home advantage at Wankhede Stadium, which has been their home for more than a decade.
During a chat with Times of India, an anonymous franchise member said, “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 franchisees 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.”
ALSO READ: Chris Gayle Expects Trophy From Either RCB Or PBKS To Win IPL 2022
During the first phase of IPL 2021 in India, the BCCI had ensured that no team will be having the liberty of playing a single match on its home turf when matches were held in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
