The cricket stadium in Mohali has been excluded from the list of the grounds that will host IPL 2021. Expressing his disappointment on the same, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has appealed to the BCCI and the ICC to reconsider the decision.
“I am surprised at the exclusion of Mohali Cricket stadium for the upcoming IPL season. I urge and appeal to @BCCI and @IPL to reconsider their decision. There is no reason why Mohali can’t host IPL and out government will make all necessary arrangements for safety against #Covid19,” the CM tweeted.
Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai are the cities that have been shortlisted so far but the BCCI is yet to take a final call. Earlier, the board had also decided that the IPL fixtures can’t take place in Mumbai with the rise in COVID-19 cases.
"There is still a month left for the IPL to start but obviously some decisions need to be taken. It will be risky to have a single city IPL in Mumbai if there is steady rise in cases that's happening right now," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"So cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata will be ready to host matches. Ahmedabad, in all likelihood, will host the play-off and final match of the IPL," he said.
The IPL 2020 was held in the UAE due to the pandemic. Mumbai Indians defended the title after beating Delhi Capitals in the final. MI now have five IPL titles to their name while CSK is the second most successful side with three winning triumphs to their name.