IPL 2021 is likely to take place in India. Although we are yet to get a confirmation, with BCCI already hosting the England series, it is all but confirmed that IPL 2021 would happen in India. The only discussion remaining would be whether the tournament would happen behind closed doors or not.
IPL 2020 happened in UAE across three cities. It may not be a surprise if something similar happens in the forthcoming campaign. Unlike the pre-COVID era, travelling often can be a risky assignment. Moreover, for the concept of bio-bubble to work, it is necessary that the cities chosen must be as close as possible. Keeping these factors in mind, if at all IPL 2021 happens in limited cities, here are the stadiums that could be chosen to host the tournament.
1. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Of course, Wankhede is going to be on the list. Home to the Mumbai Indians, Wankhede is the closest to the capital of cricket operations in India. The stadium is world-class, and the facilities are already available to sustain the COVID regulations. Mumbai is a city that can play host to many bio-bubbles. This could make the administrators to also think about choosing the Pune stadium as one of the hosts. Pune is just a three-hour drive, and hence, the situation would be similar to that of in UAE.
2. MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
There is a reason why we feel IPL must pick the Chepauk Stadium if there is a necessity to handpick only a few stadiums. Unlike most of the other pitches, the track at Chennai is extremely spinner-friendly. You don’t see bowlers getting belted all over, and therefore, matches would have a different flavour. For the entertainment value that IPL promises, the Chepauk Stadium could help to create a nice sub-plot. If in case fans are allowed, the followers of CSK deserve to watch their demigod MSD play for probably the one last time in IPL. That would be a fitting end to MSD’s IPL career.
3. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
The size of the boundaries and the reduced air-pressure has always led to mouth-watering run feasts at the Chinnaswamy. Bengaluru is an important city from the perspective of Indian Cricket. There is NCA and at least a couple other grounds with good facilities. Bengaluru can also play host to two or three bio-bubbles using the star hotels which are located very close to the Stadium. Moreover, Bengaluru and Chennai are five-hours apart and is comfortable for road travel. Logistics wise, this could help IPL very much.
4. Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad
The Sardar Patel Stadium at Ahmedabad is soon becoming one of the cricketing hotspots of the country. A big park, the stadium will host the knockouts of the SMAT and also the crucial encounters of the India England series. The data may not be enough to judge the track in Ahmedabad, but in terms of facilities available, it is world-class. Moreover, by the time the IPL starts, the staff would have already been accustomed to the COVID regulations.
5. Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Now, how can a big cricketing event be possible in India without having at least one glimpse of the iconic Eden Gardens. The BCCI President hails from the city, and Kolkata has plenty of fans who are passionate about the game. In terms of the playing conditions, Eden Gardens is world-class and offers a track that produces competitive fixtures. For players who have to stay in the bio-bubble, staying in a city they have been to before, can be an advantage. Hence, cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru must be preferred to host IPL 2021.
