Kanpur may only host Gujarat Lions-KKR match

Kanpur's Green Park stadium is likely to host just one match in the ongoing Indian Premier League due to pressing logistics issues.

It showed a lot of eagerness to host at least two IPL games this season but now will have to be satisfied with only one.

That’s because there is just one five-star hotel in the city and the nearest airport to Kanpur is in Lucknow, which is about 71 kms from the city.

According to an Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) official, the city, in all likelihood, will host the May 19 match between Gujarat Lions and Kolkata Knight Riders.

There was a proposal to hold the May 21 game between Gujarat Lions and Munbai Indians at the venue as well but the limited number of rooms available, in just one five-star hotel in the city, to accommodate three teams at the same time has diminished the chances.

The official said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, whose hometown is Kanpur, is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the people of the city can witness a day-night game at Green Park.

However, there are some issues with the brightness of the floodlights and the authorities have requested another week to fix the problem.

The venue getting clearance to host an IPL match depends on the report of the BCCI's technical team, which will inspect the ground.

Image: A general view of the Green Park stadium in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Photograph: Julian Herbert/Getty Images

- Coverage: IPL 9