IPL 2016: Eden Gardens might host final if the BCCI fails to obtain stay order

With the Bombay High Court having directed the BCCI to shift all matches out of Maharashtra after 30th April, speculation is now rife about the possible new venues for the all-important final. The final was scheduled to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 29th May.

Considering the worsening conditions of the drought in Maharashtra, 13 matches will now have to be shifted including an eliminator, the second qualifier and the final if the BCCI fails to obtain a stay order from the Supreme Court. The replacement venues have not been announced as of now.

Ranchi and Cuttack could be two possible options with both the venues having good facilities and a history of having hosted IPL matches in the past. Ranchi had been an alternate home ground for the CSK just as Cuttack had hosted KKR and SRH in the past.

Chennai remains an option but its main problem is the three stands at Chepauk that remain closed as they do not have the necessary clearance. Raipur where the Delhi Daredevils will play two home matches this season can be another alternative as it has a 50,000 plus seating capacity.

But should all those 13 matches be shifted out of Maharashtra as proposed, the biggest gainers will be Kolkata and Bengaluru. With Bengaluru already hosting the first qualifier, Kolkata can end up hosting the eliminator and also the final. The huge seating capacity of around 67,000 at the Eden Gardens as compared to 25,000 at the Chinnaswamy might ultimately play a decisive role in helping Kolkata to clinch the final.

CAB secretary Subir Ganguly told PTI on Wednesday that they will be happy to host the final if the BCCI allocates the high-profile match to Kolkata. “We are not going to go up and say anything but in case BCCI wants Eden to host the final, we are always ready.

Who will refuse an IPL final? The CAB has already organised two high-profile World Cup games (India vs Pakistan) and (World Cup final between West Indies and England) successfully.”

Last month, one of the most awaited cricketing encounters between India and Pakistan in the group stage of the ICC World T20 2016 was shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata. The Eden Gardens, which had hosted last year's IPL final as well, becomes an ideal place for such marquee clashes because of its huge capacity and boisterous environment. Should the matches be shifted out of Maharashtra, Kolkata might once again be the preferred choice for the final.

Matches that might be shifted out of Maharashtra

Matches in Pune: Pune vs Mumbai (May 1); Pune vs Hyd (may 10); Pune vs DD (may 17); Pune vs KXIP (may 21); Eliminator (May 25); Qualifier (may 27)

Matches in Mumbai: Mumbai vs Hyderabad (May 8); Mumbai vs KXIP (May 13); Mumbai vs DD (KXIP); Final (May 29)

Matches in Nagpur: KXIP vs DD (May 7); KXIP vs RCB (May 9); KXIP vs Sunrisers (May 15).