MUMBAI: Desperate not to let the Indian Premier League final slip away from their home turf, the Mumbai Cricket Association on Thursday decided to agree to all the 14 demands put forth by the IPL governing council.
Peeved at the shifting of IPL final on June 1 from the Wankhede to Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the MCA had toughened its stand with some members even wanting to turn off power supply to the IPL office situated in the BCCI Centre in retaliation apart from handing back their accreditation cards.
However, with no change in the BCCI’s approach, the association decided to toe the line and even lifted the ban on Shah Rukh Khan for the final. The Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner was hit with a five-year ban in 2012 after a late night altercation post his team’s game against Mumbai Indians.
Ranjib Biswal, IPL chairman had responded to the MCA’s letter on Tuesday and one of the conditions required team owners to be permitted at the venue.
“It was our president’s (Sharad Pawar) desire that Mumbai should host the IPL final. We have agreed to accept all the conditions of the IPL governing council,” MCA vice-president Ravi Savant said. He, however clarified that the ban on Shah Rukh was lifted only for the final match.
With car parking an issue at the Wankhede Stadium and the BCCI needing a majority of the space for their members and VIPs, the members agreed to give away their car passes.
“We have decided to meet all their demands. The members (MCA) will give away their passes to accommodate everyone. The IPL office will even get a bigger space for the final,” Savant said.
While the MCA has agreed to adhere to all the demands, Sunil Gavaskar, BCCI chief for IPL matters, said that fireworks show was the only issue for the shifting of the final.
“Every IPL final has a closing ceremony. It was observed that you cannot have a fireworks show post 10 pm in Mumbai and that is why the final was shifted.”
Savant hoped that with Ravi Shastri on the IPL governing council member along with Gavaskar, Mumbai will get back the final.
“We will wait for the governing council decision. We have done everything from our end now. I hope with former Mumbai cricketers in committee, Mumbai will not miss out on hosting the final,” he said.
