“In case we cannot play at the Eden, then we have a plan B and plan C ready. We had a meeting today. Let’s see. All our fans, as well as the team, wants us to play at the Eden,” Mysore signed off.
IPL 2019: Kolkat Knight Riders Have Plan B and C in Place if Home Matches are Shifted from Eden Gardens
Mar 14, 2019 at 10:49 AM
The upcoming general election has put the future schedule of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in jeopardy as many teams have to play their home games in three-four venues. However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore is hopeful that the franchise will able to play most of their home games at the Eden Gardens.
The upcoming edition of the IPL will commence from March 23 and run until May 12. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will play the season-opener against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. Meanwhile, the elections will take place in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. West Bengal will have votes in all seven stages, April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6, 12 and 19. As a result, there is a possibility that some of Kolkata Knight Rider’s matches may be shifted to neutral venues.
Hopeful of playing all home games at Eden
The IPL Governing Council have announced the itinerary for the first two weeks of the cash-rich league. As per the schedule, Knight Riders are playing two home games vs Sunrisers (March 24) and KXIP (March 27) and two away games against Delhi Capitals (Mar 30) and RCB (April 5). However, Venky Mysore is optimistic about hosting all the seven games in Kolkata. He also revealed that they had a possitive meeting with the authorities who are also keen to make sure Kolkata Knight Riders’ play all their games in Eden Gardens. He also added that with the elections date out, the authorities are working on every possible outcome before taking a decision.
“We have had some good meetings with the concerned authorities today, so fingers crossed. We are waiting for some clarification. I think they (authorities) are very keen to make sure that we play in Eden. If all goes well, we will play our home games here only,” Mysore told reporters at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
“Now that the date of the elections have come out, the authorities are taking a hard look at how they can ensure we play as many as possible matches in Kolkata,” he added.
In conclusion, Venky Mysore also added that Kolkata Knight Riders have plan B and C in place if they can’t play all the games in Eden. However, they will work all ends to make sure that the adverse scenario doesn’t take place.