The venue of IPL 2019 final match scheduled for 12 May, Sunday has now been shifted to Hyderabad from Chennai as the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) did not get government’s permission to open up three locked stands (I, J and K).
Now, the Qualifier 1 will be hosted in Chennai while the Eliminator as well as Qualifier 2 will be hosted in Vizag.
According to tradition, playoffs are generally hosted in the venues of winning as well as runners-up team. However, the BCCI had to shift the venue to Vizag. On the other hand, it was expected that Hyderabad, who had lost last year’s IPL final to Chennai Super Kings, would host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, but, the venue had to be changed because of local elections that are going to be held on 6, 10 and 14 May. The police said that it wouldn’t be possible to offer proper security for IPL because of elections.
Notably, a senior official from BCCI has hinted that discussions will be held with the TNCA as the authorities don’t want Chennai Super Kings to be deprived from their right of playing Qualifier 1 at home if they rank among top 2 teams in the league.