IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: MI to play 4 matches at Wankhede – The BCCI and the IPL governing council have decided against handing Mumbai Indians neutral venues. The Rohit Sharma-led franchise will play four matches at the Wankhede Stadium, handing an undue advantage to MI. Follow IPL 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
While a top BCCI official told InsideSport on Thursday that Mumbai Indians will play their home matches in Pune, the BCCI made a last-minute change and decided to go ahead with the original plan. Now, each team will play four games at the Wankhede including MI.
“4 matches each at Wankhede Stadium and DY Patil Stadium. 3 matches each at Brabourne Stadium (CCI) and MCA International Stadium, Pune,” BCCI said in a statement.
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: BCCI rubbishes franchises’ request, Rohit Sharma & Co to play 4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
Venue Number of Matches:
Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium – 20 Matches
Mumbai – Brabourne Stadium (CCI) – 15 Matches
Mumbai – DY Patil Stadium – 20 Matches
Pune – MCA International Stadium – 15 Matches
Some franchises objected to Mumbai Indians playing in Mumbai. But a senior BCCI official said the board did not receive any objection officially. Instead, the decision to hand MI Wankhede Stadium four matches was purely based on the league’s merit.
It’s C̶o̶m̶i̶n̶g̶ Home! 💙
The #TataIPL2022 dates are out with मुंबई set to host 5⃣5⃣ matches while पुणे will host 1⃣5⃣ games 🏟️#MumbaiIndians #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/KZyFy9XSx6
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 25, 2022
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians: Why do franchises oppose MI play at Wankhede?
- Wankhede Stadium is Mumbai Indians’ home ground with a strong support base.
- Rohit Sharma & Co will enjoy an undue advantage at the Wankhede due to their support.
- If the matches were to be played behind closed doors, the franchises would not have opposed to the idea.
- But as the matches will be played with at least 25% crowd presence, a few franchises wanted MI to play in other venues.
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: BCCI rubbishes franchises’ request, Rohit Sharma & Co to play 4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: BCCI rubbishes franchises’ request, Rohit Sharma & Co to play 4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
As per reports, a few franchises were unhappy at the prospect of Mumbai Indians playing at Wankhede Stadium with at least some crowd presence. As the IPL 2022 is alls et to welcome back at least 25% crowd, some franchises felt it was handing over an advantage to other MI as all other 9 teams will be playing at neutral venues.
“None of the other teams are getting home matches. It will be unfair if MI play a lot of their matches at Wankhede, which has been their den for years. The franchises have raised this concern. The franchises don’t have an issue with Mumbai Indians play the bulk of their matches at DY Patil stadium and in Pune. Even the Brabourne stadium is fine. Hopefully, the BCCI will look into the matter,” a franchise source was quoted by TOI.
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: BCCI rubbishes franchises’ request, Rohit Sharma & Co to play 4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
On Thursday, the BCCI’s IPL Governing Council decided that the 15th edition of Indian Premier League will start on March 26 with 70 matches to be played in Maharashtra. But the Indian board withheld any information on the playoffs and the final. The BCCI is still keen on having the playoffs in Ahmedabad but a call on that will be taken based on the Covid-19 situation.
“The IPL Governing Council at its meeting held yesterday made the following key decisions regarding the TATA IPL 2022 Season. The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League will be played in a bio-secure environment at a single hub to avoid air travel which is considered as a major threat for the spread of COVID-19 infection, thereby affecting the players and the League/matches,” BCCI said in the statement.
“A total of 70 league matches will be played across four international standard venues in Mumbai and Pune. The venue for the playoff matches will be decided later,” it added.
IPL 2022 Mumbai Indians Matches: BCCI rubbishes franchises’ request, Rohit Sharma & Co to play 4 matches at Wankhede Stadium
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