‘No objection from IPL franchises over MI playing in Mumbai’

Brijesh Patel. Pic/AFP

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Brijesh Patel on Thursday dismissed reports that certain franchises have objected to Mumbai Indians getting a massive home advantage if the 15th edition of the cash-rich T20 league is held in Mumbai and Pune.

While confirming that the IPL will start on March 26 after a request from the broadcaster to begin on a Saturday, Patel clarified that no team have raised any objection over matches being held in Mumbai. "There is no such thing. They are all quite happy that the IPL is happening in India," Patel told mid-day on Thursday. The 2020 edition was held in the UAE. Efforts were made to conduct the tournament in India the following year, but COVID-19 struck a telling blow and the event was halted before it resumed in the UAE.

With COVID-19 cases under control at the moment, the BCCI has decided to hold the IPL in Maharashtra to avoid travel.

Matches in Mumbai will be held at Brabourne Stadium, Wankhede Stadium and DY Patil Stadium (Nerul). Twenty matches each will be played at Wankhede and DY Patil stadiums while 15 matches will be conducted at Brabourne, said Patel.

Fifteen matches will be also played at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, a three-hour drive from Mumbai. "There will be 26 double headers instead of 27," said Patel. With the IPL turning into a 10-team affair from this edition, teams will be divided into two groups of five. Play-offs venues have not yet been decided," Patel said.

MCA to honour Rohit

The MCA has decided to felicitate Rohit Sharma for becoming India's captain across all formats. India ‘A' players from Mumbai will also be felicitated for their good performances. India's U-19 World Cup-winning batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi will be honoured with Rs 1 lakh.