Visakhapatnam: Cricket fans in Vizag and surrounding districts, who have been eagerly waiting to watch at least two cricket matches of the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the picturesque Vizag stadium are deeply disappointed. Last night, as per the venue list declared by BCCI officials, Vizag will not host a single match of the IPL 2016.
Vizag, a non-IPL franchisee city in AP hosted five IPL matches, including three matches of the 2015 edition of IPL after Sunrisers Hyderabad picked the stadium as the venue. But, this time, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be playing seven matches in Hyderabad and few matches at other venues. Sources in the Andhra Cricket Association said that the management of Sunrisers Hyderabad is not interested in hosting matches in Vizag due to some reasons and some differences with the police officials. Sources also said that ACA administrators didn’t pursue the matter citing that the wicket in the stadium has to be developed for hosting test matches as Vizag stadium got the test cricket status recently.
”Last year we got a chance to watch the IPL action in Vizag stadium and expected that our city will host at least three matches of 2016-IPL edition. But, the venue list of IPL-2016 has left us disappointed,” said Raghav, a cricket buff in the city. As per the IPL schedule, Mumbai Indians will open their title defence at home against new entrants Rising Pune Supergiant to kickstart the 2016-IPL on April 9. Secretary of ACA Gokaraju Ganga Raju said that Vizag will host ODI and one test match between India and England in 2016 and the matches will be a visual feast.
