IPL 2021 could be held entirely in Mumbai: Reports

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 edition is just about the corner and the euphoria for one of best T20 leagues contested across the globe is already all over the fans. After an amazingly successful expedition of the celebrated T20 league in the UAE last year, there is still not much clarity on the venue for the 14^th edition of the IPL. However, if recent reports are to be believed, the entire league stage of the IPL 2021 season will be held in Mumbai while the knockouts will take place in Ahmedabad.

IPL 2021: DC co-owner Parth Jindal shares some insights on the venues

During an exclusive interaction with ESPNcricinfo, the Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal shared some important insights about the possible venues for the forthcoming edition of the IPL. Jindal mentioned that as ongoing England tour, Indian Super League (ISL), Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy is being organized in India, the IPL should also come back home. He also hinted that the Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai could be the three possible venues for the entire league stage of IPL 2021 with the knockouts being organized in the newly built Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“From what I’m hearing and seeing, if England can come and tour, if the ISL (Indian Super League) can happen all in Goa, if Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic 50-over competition) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20 competition) can happen across venues, I can’t fathom the IPL moving out of India,” Jindal said. “I do believe the IPL will happen in India.”

“I believe they’re contemplating whether to have the league phase at one venue (city) and playoffs at another venue. There’s a lot of chatter about Mumbai being possibly being one venue because it has three grounds (Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium) and enough practice facilities, and Motera (Ahmedabad) hosting the knockouts, but it’s all unverified, it’s all just what I am hearing.”

Parth Jindal states the reason behind picking Steve Smith

There were many eyebrows raised when the Delhi Capitals bought former Rajasthan Royals captain Steve Smith for INR 2.2 crores in the recently concluded IPL 2021 Player Auction. However, Jindal has stated that they thought that Smith’s batting style will be suited to the wickets in Mumbai and they will also gain much with the experienced local lads in Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer. But according to the rest of the owners and franchise officials, it is still uncertain whether the IPL will take place in India or not.

“If you look at our selection of Steven Smith, we felt the wickets in Mumbai will suit his style of batting,” Parth Jindal added.

“The fact that we have so many Mumbai boys – Prithvi [Shaw], Jinks [Ajinkya Rahane], Shreyas [Iyer] helps. Mumbai has true bounce, the ball moves a bit because it’s on the coast, and all that played a role. The other option is being mulled right now is, why not open up all venues, go everywhere and show the world we’re ready for the T20 World Cup? They [BCCI[] are still unsure, I think it all depends on how the covid situation plays out in India over the next two weeks,” the DC co-owner concluded.

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