MUMBAI: Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Stadium has been finalised as the venue for the final match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. The summit clash will be played on May 12.
PTI, quoting sources, reports that the decision came after the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) was denied permission to open stands I, J and K.
Chennai will instead host Qualifier 1 while Vizag will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.
As per tradition, the playoffs are usually held at the venues of the IPL defending champions as well as runners-up. Hyderabad, who lost to Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018 final, was expected to host Eliminator and Qualifier 2 but it couldn’t work out as due to local elections scheduled on May 6, 10 and 14. The police said it would not be possible for them to provide security arrangements for the IPL due to the elections.
A senior BCCI official had earlier hinted that the final might be shifted from Chennai. “We will have discussions with TNCA as we don’t want to deprive CSK their right of playing at home. But three empty stands is an issue. Hyderabad and Bangalore are the two standby venues for two play-offs, Eliminator and final,” a senior BCCI official had earlier told PTI.
