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IPL 2021: BCCI looking at 4-5 venues in back-up plan to host IPL after rising Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 2/27/2021 11:27:35 AM

New Delhi, Feb 26 The Board of Control for Cricket in India is keen on hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in bio-secure environments in India but the rising Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra has forced the governing body of Indian cricket to prepare back-up plans. The BCCI has been looking at multiple venues in Maharashtra, which includes international grounds in Mumbai and Pune, to host the 8-week long tournament as it offers a good opportunity to create a smaller pool of bio-secure bubbles but the Covi-19 situation in Maharashtra is a cause of concern for the cricket board. The BCCI was looking at Mumbai as it had four international venues, including Wankhede, Brabourne, DY Patil and Reliance Stadium. As it turns out, the BCCI is looking at four to five cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to host the group stages of the IPL, Sports Today has learned. The knockouts and the final, in all likelihood, will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The BCCI now plans to create bio-secure bubbles similar to the ones created during Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy domestic tournaments. The BCCI also has plans to tackle any possible clash of dates with the state assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu by making sure the matches are not held in the said states during the polling period. The Election Commission on Friday announced an 8-phase poll for West Bengal from March 27 to April 29 while Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 2. IPL 2020 was moved out of the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament was held in the UAE across three venues in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the final which was held in Dubai.