IPL 2018 playoffs to be shifted from Pune; Kolkata, Rajkot in fray

Pune was awarded two qualifiers as it was the home to the now-defunct and last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) finalists Rising Pune Supergiant. With Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) home games being shifted to Pune, the IPL governing council has decided to move the playoffs.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to shift the two play-off matches of the IPL scheduled in Pune on May 23 and 25 to alternative venues as the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is set to host six home matches of Chennai Super Kings. (IPL 2018 FULL COVERAGE)

With Pune chosen to host Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) remaining IPL 2018 home games due to security issues in Chennai, the BCCI officials have decided to move the two playoffs scheduled for May 23 and 25, out of Pune, the source said.(AFP)

As of now, Kolkata and Rajkot are the two venues that have emerged as front-runners to host these matches.

It is learnt that the IPL Governing Council wants to follow the policy of fair distribution of matches across all the venues.

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Once Pune was awarded six CSK matches, it was decided that to maintain fairness, BCCI will opt for other venues giving them a chance to host marquee matches like the Eliminator on May 23 and Qualifier on May 25.

“As of now, the alternative venue has not been finalised. It will be either Kolkata or Rajkot that will get to host the two Play-Offs. Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah is keen on Rajkot getting a couple of marquee matches. It will be decided soon,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

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When MCA president Abhay Apte was asked about the shift of play-off games, he said: “Till now, we have not got any official communication from the IPL governing council. There is nothing to be upset about if the Play-Off is shifted elsewhere. All the units work under the aegis of BCCI. We are one team. We got CSK matches as there were problems in Chennai.”

CAB joint secretary Avishek Dalmiya also spoke on the same vein.

“We would not want to take away anyone’s allocated matches but given an opportunity, we are always ready,” Dalmiya said.