The Delhi and District Cricket Association on Thursday 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 C.K. 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. 5 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.
