BCCI shifts Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League games from Indore to Pune – what sparked the last-minute move?

NEW DELHI: The BCCI has shifted the Super League phase of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy – including the high-profile final – from Indore to Pune due to logistical challenges, secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI on Friday.

The group-stage matches of the National T20 Championship are currently underway in Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The Super League round and the title clash were initially planned to take place in Indore.

The Super League phase will now begin on December 12, with the final scheduled for December 18.

“Yes, we have decided to shift to the venue of the Super League stage from Indore to Pune,” BCCI secretary Saikia told PTI.

What led BCCI to change the venue?

It is learned that it was on request of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association which cited the paucity of hotel rooms during the said period with as many as eight teams with jumbo support staff as well as broadcast crew supposed to be accommodated.

With couple of marriage ceremony dates during the week, along with a doctors’ conference also scheduled between December 13 to 16, it was impossible to book a huge number of hotel rooms at the five star facilities during that part of the month.

The Super League constitutes eight teams (top two from each of the Elite Group) divided into two groups and the top two will meet in the final.

There will be 13 matches held in Pune including 12 Super League games and one final. These matches will be held at two venues — Gahunje Stadium as well as the old MCA ground.

(With PTI Inputs)