The ongoing edition of the Indian Premiere League is heading towards its business end. The race to make it to the play-offs is intensifying and all the teams are looking to bring out their A-game.
The final of the tournament was to be held in MA Chidambaram stadium, which is located in Chennai. But this week BCCI announced that the final was being moved to Hyderabad instead.
“We had to shift the matches from Chennai to Hyderabad after Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) intimated us that they have not procured the requisite permission to open the three stands.”Vinod Rai, COA Chief
Why the Change Happened?
The TNCA doesn’t have the permission to use the three stands in the ground owing to a legal issue. The three stands I, J and K have a seating capacity of 4000 each. Conducting the final of the league in Chennai where 12000 seats cannot to used would have meant huge financial losses for the BCCI, therefore, the final was shifted to Hyderabad.
What is The Legal Issue?
A criminal case was issued against the TNCA in 2013 by the Madras High Court and stay was put on the use of those stands as TNCA manipulated the assessment report of the stands.
A gym of Madras Cricket Club which adjoins the stands is the main issue. Although, Supreme Court ordered demoliton of some parts of the stands, TNCA is yet to recieve permission from the Heritage Committee.
A report in the Sportstar stated: “In accordance with Madras High Court orders. The association had approached the Greater Chennai Corporation for the same before the start of the 12th edition of the IPL and talks have been encouraging. However, with the final a little more than a month away, there is no luxury of time”
The knockout matches of the IPL starts from 7 May and the final is scheduled to be played on 12 May.
(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.)