After India’s match against Pakistan was moved away from Dharamsala, now it looks like yet another World T20 may well be on its way to being relocated.
Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla finds its World Cup semi-final fixture in trouble after a court refused to intervene in a matter concerning the use of an important part of the stadium in New Delhi.
A stand which houses the media and broadcasters, as well as VIP seats, has only managed ad hoc clearances over the years because it is close to the Kotla Baoli heritage site.
“We cannot pass an order allowing you to hold matches until you get the completion certificate,” the Delhi High Court said Monday while referring the matter to a separate bench already hearing a related case.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association approached the high court after retired judge Mukul Mudgal, who is supervising match preparations on directions from the high court, recommended that tickets for the block should not be sold.
Local media reports suggested that the southern city of Bangalore was being considered as an alternate venue for the March 30 semifinal match.
The other semifinal match will be played in Mumbai on March 31, while the final is in Kolkata on April 3.
Delhi is also due to host three Super 10 league games before the semifinal match - England vs. Afghanistan on March 21, England vs. Sri Lanka on March 26, and South Africa vs. Sri Lanka on March 28.
The ICC was earlier forced to move the high-profile game between India and Pakistan from Dharamsala to Kolkata after the provincial government said it could not provide adequate security.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)