Overlapping of Lok – Sabha elections and other security issues have lead to no other choice for IPL authorities, but to cancel the previously announced schedule. This has not led just to change in schedule of matches, but increase in tournament venues to accommodate adequate security for the smooth functioning of the tournament.
The concept of ‘neutral venues’ has emerged because of expansion of tournament in various areas, which has caused sleepless nights for many franchise owners and officials.
Already three new venues namely Nagpur, Cuttack and Dharmasala have been officially announced by IPL authorities, along with other new venues this time like Ahemadabad and Vishakapattinam.
For instance Kolkata Knights Riders have been given the option of two different neutral venues namely Cuttack and Ahemadabad, among which they have to choose one for playing some of their matches scheduled to be played in Kolkata.
Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) aren’t too pleased by decision of IPL authorities, as staging matches in home ground with capacity of 97,000 is lot more different that staging a match in a place like Cuttack, which has not more than a capacity of 33,000 people.
Almost all the franchise is left to face the similar fate like KKR in terms of playing few of their matches in neutral venue. Chennai Super Kings are also facing the situation of staging some matches in neutral venue, as Tamil Nadu Government has shown its unwillingness, to ensure proper security during times of Lok Sabha.
The scenario is different, when it comes to Deccan Chargers team. As neutral venue allotted for them is none other than Vishakapattinam, which can prove blessing in disguise. Fans of Deccan Chargers from Vishakapattinam and surrounding areas also will have chance of witnessing IPL.
Even though there are many issues still to be resolved like sharing gate revenue and on – ground sponsorship issues. Franchise owners and officials have expressed their concerns to IPL authorities, as the majority of the revenue comes from sharing of gate revenue.
Franchise officials have also expressed their surprise regarding the move of authorities, to stage matches in venues like Dharmasala, which they think defies any logic. Franchise owners also expressed, that there must not be any bias towards particular franchise in staging their matches in neutral grounds.
Since there are many issues like security and election, which has seriously cast a huge shadow in staging of IPL, franchise owners are maintain silence towards the issue of neutral venue which can breathe life as tournament gets underway.
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