The BCCI has decided to relocate the Super League phase of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, including the final, from Indore to Pune, citing logistical challenges. Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the change, noting that the move became necessary after concerns were raised regarding accommodation availability during the tournament window.
The group stage of the domestic T20 event is currently being conducted across four cities, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. Indore had originally been chosen to host the Super League fixtures and the title clash.
The Super League is scheduled to begin on December 12, while the final will take place on December 18. According to Saikia, the decision to shift venues followed a request from the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. The association highlighted the limited availability of hotel rooms in Indore, as eight qualified teams, their extended support staff, and broadcasting units would all require accommodation at the same time.
The shortage resulted from multiple large-scale bookings in the city, including wedding events and a major doctors’ conference planned between December 13 and 16. These overlapping commitments made it impossible to secure the number of rooms needed for the tournament at premium hotels.
The Super League features eight teams, the top two sides from each Elite Group, split into two pools. The leading team from each pool will advance to the final. Pune will now host a total of thirteen matches, which include twelve Super League encounters and the championship match. Games will be played at the Gahunje Stadium and the old MCA ground.
Discussion about this post