The next season i.e. the 20th edition of the IPL will be the 13th season of world’s most money making T20 league. The first season started way back in 2008 with eight franchise teams.
It was exactly three years after that, in 2011 that 10 teams participated in the IPL, which included Kochi and Pune franchise teams. After the termination of Kochi Tuskers Kerala, there were nine teams in the next season of 2012-13. The Pune franchise owned by Sahara India Pariwar also got themselves out of the league after 2013, after which there were eight teams again in the league since 2014.
Now there are speculations that 10 teams can take part in IPL 2020. A meeting of stakeholders and franchise owners of the Indian Premier League was held in London after which the owners wanted 10 teams to ply their trade in the league. Here’s revealing the five cities where IPL matches may be contested-
Rajkot(Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium)
After the ban of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for 2016-17 season, Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions were the two new franchise formed. The Gujarat franchise owned by Intex Technologies played their home game at the same venue. Many international matches have been played in Rajkot. The 2011 World Cup quarter-final was also played at the venue.
Lucknow(Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana stadium)
Uttar Pradesh is a state which has given many cricketers to the country. According to sources, Lucknow, also called the city of Nawabs, is also in the line of contention to get an IPL franchise. It is being speculated that the businessmen of Kanpur and Lucknow are eager to buy the IPL team in 2020.
A Ranji trophy clash between Andhra and Hyderabad was the first match hosted by the stadium in December 2016. The stadium also hosted a T20 International between India and West Indies last year.
Pune(Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium)
Rising Pune Supergiant played their home games at the stadium in 2016-17 season. The stadium also hosted the final of 2017 season which was eventually won by Mumbai Indians after thumping the home favourites- Pune Warriors India in a closely contested clash.
Ranchi(Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium)
Ranchi is the home to former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Many international matches have also been played in Ranchi’s newly build stadium. The TATA group can show their interest to form a new IPL franchise in the capital town.
Kochi (Jawaharlal Nehru stadium)
Kochi Tuskers Kerala played their home matches at the venue in 2011 IPL season. According to sources, once again the franchises can invest money and form a franchise in the port city.
