Maharashtra govt paves way for IPL allows teams to practice post 8 pm at Wankhede

IPL 2021: The matches of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are also scheduled to be held in Mumbai, but there were reports that there could be a change in the venue amid the ever increasing cases of Covid-19 epidemic in Maharashtra. However, now it seems that the matches to be held in Mumbai will be from their time here. The Maharashtra government cleared the way for IPL matches to be held and allowed teams to come to the hotel after 8 pm during a night curfew imposed to prevent the epidemic.

Due to increasing cases of Kovid-19 in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the state government on Sunday announced curfew in entire Maharashtra including Mumbai from 8 am to 7 am. These guidelines are being followed from today. The state government, however, allowed IPL teams to practice even after 8 pm strictly following the bio bubble. The IPL will start from April 9, with the first match to be played in Chennai. In a letter issued to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Shrirang Gholap, Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation, wrote, 'The CCI (Cricket Club of India) and MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) of the teams keeping in mind the timing of the match. Ka Stadium Wankhede) practice time has been fixed in two sessions from 4 pm to 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10 pm.

10 matches of IPL are scheduled to be held in Mumbai. All these matches will take place at the Wankhede Stadium. 9 of these matches will start at 7:30 pm. The first match at Wankhede will be played on April 10 between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Meanwhile, Mumbai Cricket Association has got a big relief as the 10 employees of the Wankhede Stadium, who had come to the test positive earlier, have now come to the test negative.