Guwahati, Lucknow, Indore in fray for new IPL destinations

Two IPL teams, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as they seek a change of their bases from Jaipur and Mohali respectively. Their request gave the BCCI a chance to look out for new places for the popular league. All these three destinations are being considered owing to the feasibility and backing. 

The Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow, which is the constituency of IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, recently hosted day-night Duleep Trophy games. Given that the feedback was quite good, there is a possibility of Kings XI Punjab being asked to make it their base. In fact, recently, the KXIP management was asked to inspect the facilities there. KXIP also seem to be interested in Indore as they played there last year and were content with the facilities available.

Further, recently, Guwahati hosted an ODI at its newly-built stadium and it could become the base for the Royals. Guwahati has been an unexplored market and the Royals will be happy to explore it since they are not comfortable with playing in Jaipur. 

Moreover, the BCCI will be deciding on the legal matter relating to the Chennai Super Kings team as well and it is also being expected that a policy decision on the retention and salary cap will be taken today. The agenda of the meeting also includes the discussion on Women's IPL.

Also, in the next two days, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) is scheduled to meet in Delhi to deliberate upon the feedback from office-bearers over the new draft constitution. The acting president, secretary, and treasurer have been asked by the Supreme Court to give their opinions on the constitution and they are understood to have submitted it. They are understood to have opined that the Supreme Court brief has been exceeded by CoA in drafting the new constitution. Even the National Cricket Club in Kolkata has forwarded its views on the draft.