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5 Indian cities that deserve an IPL franchise in future
Pune, Indore might be included in the venue-list for the 2022 IPL
Since the beginning of its journey, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has gone on to be bigger and bigger in terms of its importance. It has become an international competition in the calendar of world cricket. After the 2020 edition of IPL ended with a lot of excitement, discussions were there about the inclusion of new teams in the League.
Ultimately, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in its AGM had decided that the number of scheduled participating teams in the IPL (8) will be increasing, but in the IPL of 2022 IPL. The League in 2011 saw 10 and 9 participants, respectively unlike the usual 8 teams. Pune Warriors and Kochi Tuskers were added in 2011 which took part in the League for 2 and 1 season respectively, but after that, both the franchise teams were scrapped due to issues. Two new teams also were introduced in the IPL in 2016 following the ban imposed on Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Both the teams had played for two seasons before the return of CSK and RR in 2018.
However, according to discussions on the addition of the teams so far, it has been heard that 10 teams might be included in the 2022 IPL.
This article will look for 5 Indian cities that deserve an IPL franchise in the future.
Pune
Considering the chances of inclusion of the new teams in the IPL, Pune becomes the front runner. Besides, the city has an advantage that Pune Warriors and Rising Pune Super Giant, both the teams that featured in IPL were from Pune. The city has a decent stadium (MCA International) as well as it should be remembered that Pune had shown the ability to host seven IPL matches within only two months, logistics, playing surface and all these services were almost flawless. Pune has another notable point that the matches, held here had drawn a huge crowd to watch the matches.
Ahmedabad Stadium (Motera)
The new Ahmedabad Stadium (Motera) was already in the focus of the cricket fraternity since the beginning of its construction. Even though the old stadium at Ahmedabad was an international venue for a long time, the new stadium that is being called the largest in the World for its crowd capacity of 110,000 will soon start hosting international matches. Naturally, the newly poised Motera Stadium also deserves to host IPL matches. Besides, a new entrant from Gujarat in the IPL will help the state cricket to promote budding cricketers of the state. So, from this perspective, Ahmedabad is likely to be 5 Indian cities that deserve an IPL franchise in the future.
Lucknow
IPL had never a franchise team from Uttar Pradesh although several star cricketers from this state have represented the country and graced IPL also. Now, with the discussion about the inclusion of the teams in the League, Lucknow might be a contender as its new Ekana Stadium has already hosted a Twenty20 International match between India and West Indies and the cricket lovers in the city were simply ecstatic to have the opportunity to watch an international cricket match at their home. An electrifying ambiance was created. BCCI also has observed it and they might plan of including Lucknow as one of the IPL venues.
Indore
Indore can be among the 5 Indian cities that deserve an IPL franchise in the future. Holkar Stadium in Indore has hosted a lot of international matches. The stadium has also hosted IPL matches as a second home for a few teams in the IPL. The crowd also here at the Holkar Stadium has one of India's most enthusiastic spectators. People would be more enthusiastic if any team from this city joins the League as an IPL franchise team.
This apart, the pitch at this ground has always been high-scoring. Virender Sehwag scored the only T20 double at this ground. One of the key reasons behind the immense craze over IPL is batsmen's domination and their big-hitting strokes. In that case, the pitches those favor batsmen became conducive to increase the enthusiasm of the fans. Indore pitch can be helpful in this aspect and BCCI might think of choosing Indore as a venue for the IPL.
Thiruanantapuram (Kerala)
Previously, Kochi was the city from Kerala that produced a franchise team (Kochi Tuskers) but they, unfortunately, failed to play in the T20 extravaganza. Recently Thiruanantapuram had built a stadium named Green Field and it has even hosted an international match. Besides, Kerala has also produced some promising cricketers in recent times like Sanju Samson, Basil Thumpi, and Mohammed Siraj. A decent pitch, as well as good crowed, will be helpful for the IPL matches and staging IPL matches will also boost the enthusiasm on cricket culture in the state.
