Mumbai Indians get a New Home

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have opted for Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium as their home ground for the 9th edition of VIVO IPL after BCCI decided to shift all matches of the league from the drought-hit Maharashtra state as the high court ordered.

“We had given Mumbai Indians three options — Jaipur, Kanpur and Raipur. The Mumbai Indians told us that they would like to play their home matches at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Accordingly, the IPL and IMG officials will be going to Rajasthan tomorrow in order to to speak to the state government,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla told mediapersons, in Kanpur on Sunday.

Another Maharashtra franchise Pune Supergiants, which is headed by Dhoni, have opted for Visakhapatnam as their home ground.

Earlier Rajasthan Royals usually played at this venue which was their homeground. Currrently the franchise is suspended as well as  the state cricket association that has been under suspension by BCCI but Rajeev  Shukla had earlier mentioned that suspension of the state association does not mean suspension of the venue.

In Ranji trophy, the Rajasthan state team played their home matches  at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium under BCCI.

The capacity of the stadium and creation of an easy fan base are the primary reasons which had been taken under consideration by Mumbai Indians to go for Jaipur, which has had the experience of hosting IPL matches during the first eight seasons of IPL. The Jaipur pitch has help for pace bowling and it has a good deck to bat on which will suit the defending champions.

Shukla also said that they will appeal to the Bombay High Court so that the May 1 match between MI and Pune is allowed to be staged as it will be right after Pune’s match on April 29 against Gujarat Lions.

Rajeev Shukla, who is also the president of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has informed that the two scheduled IPL matches in Kanpur is expected to be held as per schedule on May 19 and 21, next month.

“There were some issue regarding the intensity of the floodlights and that has been sorted out. Within a couple of days, the concerned people will be coming for an inspection. I am confident that the matches will be held in Kanpur as per schedule,” Shukla said.