Pune to host two IPL play-offs

IPL governing council has accepted the proposal of Maharashtra Cricket Board (MCB) and has chosen Pune for hosting two playoffs of the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League. These games include Eliminator and Qualifier 2 and they would be played at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje on May 13 and May 25.

“We were considering Pune because there were suggestions that since now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants were the runner-ups last time, so Pune should be on the top our priority list,” IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said after the Governing Council meeting on Friday (March 16). Other matters including the legal opinion on the matter related to change of Chennai Super Kings’ ownership and its value.

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“As far as CSK is concerned, we have sought Justice AP Shah’s opinion who was also the ombudsman in the BCCI, we have accepted his opinion,” he added.

Shami’s issue:

The doubt over the participation of Mohammed Shami in the IPL is still looming as the BCCI awaits Anti Corruption Unit’s (ACU) decision. The 27-year old India pacer faces a series of charges against him that was filed by his wife Hasin Jahan and it has put his IPL contract at a stake.

Delhi Daredevils had bought Shami for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League for INR 3 crore. Reportedly, Committee of Administrators (CoA) would decide about Shami’s participation in the tournament after Neeraj Kumar, chief of the Anti-Corruption Unit submits his report.

“As far as Shami is concerned, we’ve decided to stick by the report of the ACU head. We will adhere to the recommendations and would make an informed decision after that,” Shukla said.

“If Neeraj Kumar gives him a clean chit, he would play and if he doesn’t, he won’t play. We will get the report in coming four-five days, so we will wait,” he added.

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League is slated to start from 7 April 2018 where defending champions Mumbai Indians would be taking on Chennai Super Kings.