There’s a contact of melancholy, for an period passed by when Punjab Cricket Affiliation and Mohali cricket stadium had been the toast of Indian cricket when it got here to internet hosting matches. Not anymore. The as soon as energy centre of Indian cricket, Mohali, isn’t even internet hosting a single world cup match later this yr, or perhaps a facet recreation for that matter. It’s a obvious lacking level within the Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule launched by the Worldwide Cricket Council and BCCI in Mumbai this week.
Whereas Punjab is lacking out on the itinerary, Dharamsala additional up north has gained because it will get able to host world cup matches for the very first time. It’s going to host 5 matches from October 7 to 29, together with a heavy-duty India vs New Zealand match on October 22. One other “gainer” is Lucknow which can even host 5 world cup matches, together with an India-England match. Not simply Mohali and Indore, Thiruvananthapuram too missed out on internet hosting WC matches.
Punjab’s sports activities minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer publicly condemned Mohali being excluded as a bunch metropolis given its wealthy historical past as a bunch and blamed “political causes” for a similar. Apparently, not one of the workplace bearers reacted to Mohali lacking out on WC motion. In distinction, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lashed out on the Narendra Modi-led BJP authorities on the Centre for his residence state lacking out on the principle WC matches regardless that Thiruvananthapuram has bought 4 warm-up video games as does Guwahati whereas Hyderabad will get two warm-up matches.
Whereas the AAP minister was probably the most vociferous in his criticism of the schedule, it’s reliably learnt that Mohali was by no means on the unique listing of BCCI for internet hosting matches. Rather a lot many are giving the “excuse” of a brand new stadium in Punjab – in Mullanpur which is New Chandigarh space—not being prepared on time. PCA had earlier felt that they’d host WC matches within the new stadium but it surely has missed its deadline as a consequence of Covid-19. It is usually reliably learnt that Mullanpur stadium isn’t the explanation why the unique Mohali stadium missed out; a part of it’s the politics of the day and half PCA stadium’s lack of well timed upgradation.
There isn’t a doubt that politics does play a job and as issues stand right now, Ahmedabad, which has lately bought a model new, largest stadium within the nation was going to carry the “massive ones”—it not solely will get to host the India- Pakistan match to be performed on October 15, but additionally the ultimate match.
Pune getting matches for the primary time on the planet cup too has skewed issues for the Indian board.
THE WEEK has learnt that Mohali was by no means within the authentic listing of 10 venues shared by BCCI with the ICC. ICC has little or no function to play in accepting or rejecting a venue until it’s associated to severe issues like safety and logistics. The venues and schedule had been additionally shared by BCCI and ICC with broadcasters in case they’ve any technical objections.
With nobody from Indian cricket board elevating any hue and cry over Mohali lacking from the itinerary, the as soon as citadel of cricket energy on the planet has ended up changing into a silent spectator.
As for Kerala not getting any WC match, reportedly with most matches going to the south zone—Bengaluru and Chennai getting 5 matches every within the league part—it was tough to accommodate extra venues from that zone, board officers mentioned.
