On Thursday, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has finally decided to host the India-West Indies One Day International in Thiruvananthapuram in November. A decision in this regard was taken by KCA officials after a meeting with Sports minister A C Moideen.

During an interaction with reporters, KCA Secretary Jayesh George said, “We have taken an in principle decision to host the India-West Indies ODI at Thiruvananthapuram in the wake of the government request. But a final decision on the matter will be taken after the KCA’s general body gives an assent.”

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George also clarified the fact that the government has also decided to take the initiative to construct an International cricket stadium at Kochi. The KCA’s initial plans to host the ODI at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi had led to opposition from various quarters.

Tthe legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is also the co-owner of Kerala Blasters, former Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly, who is also the co-owner of the Kolkata-based ISL franchise Atletico de Kolkata, Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri and former union minister Shashi Tharoor, have all come out against the KCA’s decision to host the ODI at Kochi.

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Apprehensions had been raised that hosting a cricket match at the Kochi stadium, the home ground of Kerala Blasters, would damage the world-class football grass and affect the ISL season that normally begins in October every year and lasts for around four months.

The KCA made the move to host the ODI at the Kochi stadium two days ago after the BCCI decision to award it the right to host the ODI.