Delhi, Cuttack ready to host IPL matches shifted out of Maharashtra

The Delhi and District Cricket Association has offered to host the two IPL play-off games scheduled in Pune after the Bombay High Court ordered for their shifting from Maharashtra owing to the water crisis in the state. 

The Bombay High Court has directed the BCCI to shift all IPL matches after April 30 -- adding up to 13 -- out of the drought-hit Maharashtra.

DDCA vice-president CK Khanna expressed its readiness to host the playoffs, originally scheduled in Pune, to IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla.

"I on behalf of DDCA offer that our association is ready to host playoffs matches of IPL. We assure you our best of co-operation to BCCI/IPL for the said matches if they are shifted and allotted to us," Khanna said in a statement addressed to Shukla. 

The Cricket Board has 18 days to look for new venues for 13 matches in May should it decide not to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. 

This means that 13 matches, including the final in Mumbai on May 29, cannot be held in Maharashtra. The order came despite an assurance by BCCI that IPL franchises of Mumbai and Pune had agreed to contribute Rs five crore to CM's drought relief fund. 

On Wednesday, the Cricket Association of Bengal expressed readiness to host the coveted final of the IPL in case the BCCI is unable to get a stay from SC.

Cuttack ready to host shifted IPL matches

Meanwhile, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) also claimed it is ready to conduct IPL matches shifted out of Maharashtra if the state government extends support.

"We have seven pitches at the Barabati stadium. As the U-19 matches are going on, the stadium is fully ready," said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera.

He, however, said the BCCI has so far not approached the OCA in this regard.

Replying to a question, Behera said the OCA would not request the BCCI to change the IPL venue to the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

"If BCCI asks us to organise a match here, we are ready for that. But no directive has been issued to us regarding this so far," he said.

He also asked the state government to support them in their bid to get some of the IPL matches.

"The OCA can not conduct the IPL matches alone. We need full support of the state government to organise any national or international game here."

The OCA has earlier organised ICC Women's World Cup group matches involving Pakistan in 2013 when Pakistan's matches were shifted out of Mumbai due to protests by the Shiv Sena.

Though the Bajrang Dal and Kalinga Sena had issued similar threat opposing Pakistan's participation in the tournament, the matches were played without any difficulty in Cuttack, an OCA official said.