Visakhapatnam to host both Mumbai and Pune

Visakhapatnam will host this season's remaining home games of both Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants from May 2. The decision was taken by the IPL governing council, which also moved the second qualifier and the eliminator from Kolkata to Delhi. Bangalore, as expected, will host the first qualifier and the final.

The changes in venue were the result of a severe drought in Maharashtra, which led to the Bombay High Court ordering the IPL to move out of the state.

Kings XI Punjab, who were scheduled to play three of their home games in Nagpur, and then Dharamsala, will play all of their home games in Mohali.

Mumbai had chosen Jaipur as their home venue at a meeting between the IPL and the franchises two weeks ago. But with Rajasthan also battling a drought, its High Court, responding to a Public Interest Litigation, had raised questions about hosting matches. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday, but the IPL governing council has decided not to wait.

"Due to paucity of time and uncertainty surrounding whether the matches will be held or not, the IPL GC decided that Vizag will be neutral venue for both Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants," an IPL media release said.

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said Feroz Shah Kotla was picked to host the eliminator and the second qualifier instead of Eden Gardens to avoid logistical issues. "The time duration is too short between the last home match of Kolkata Knight Riders, scheduled for May 22, and the Qualifier 2 [on May 27]. It would be difficult to make logistical arrangements."

ESPNcricinfo understands a tiring Kolkata surface may have contributed to the move as well. "With seven more matches to go, it would have unduly increased the load on the pitch and you cannot take a risk with the playoffs," a BCCI official said. Kolkata Knight Riders have played all their home games on the pitch that had been used for the World T20 final.

A consequence of this change in schedule has meant an afternoon match and an evening match have exchanged time slots. Kings XI's home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad will be played at 8pm on May 15 in Mohali. On the same day, Mumbai will host Delhi Daredevils at 4pm in Visakhapatnam.

Kings XI will be disappointed, and perhaps embarrassed, considering they had sent out a release saying three of the home matches would played in Dharamsala. However, the franchise liaising with the Himachal Pradesh government did not sit well with the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.