Mumbai likely to miss out as one of host cities for IPL
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The BCCI has defined six cities as possible venues for the IPL 2021 season. Since the Covid-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc throughout the country, not every franchise will be able to play its home games in their hometowns.
So far, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals were to be deprived of hosting rights but with the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, Mumbai is likely to not be one of the host cities as well, as per a report in ESPNCricinfo.
Maharashtra accounted for nearly half of all coronavirus cases in India, according to the latest data reported on the Indian government's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website on Monday evening (March 1). Maharashtra had 78,212 active cases out of a total of nearly 169,000 in India.
As per the report, BCCI is looking for an alternate city whereas the defending champions will be dealt with a huge blow as Wankhede Stadium has remained a fortress for them for the last few years.
Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Kolkata have all been identified as potential hosts for the upcoming season. It was previously announced that Mumbai would be one of the host cities, but that there would be no room for fans in the stands.
Meanwhile, the IPL 2021 auction was a grand success in Chennai on February 18. As many as 292 players went under the hammer with only 57 of them finding buyers. Chris Morris, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kyle Jamieson, Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham were the top buyers in the auction.
