IPL 2020: Ahmedabad leads race to host final

The new Sardar Patel Stadium being built in Ahmedabad looks to be the frontrunner to host the final of the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The stadium was initially set to host a match between Asia XI and World XI, but that plan had to be dropped because the stadium won't be complete in time for the game in March.

Speakingto IANS, sources in the IPL Governing Council meeting, which was held here onMonday, said that it was almost certain that the new stadium will host thisyear's IPL final.

"Youhave to wait till February for the confirmation, but it is almost certain thatthe final of the 2020 edition of Indian Premier League will be played in Ahmedabad,"the source said.

Askedabout the old tradition of the previous year's winner hosting the opening gameand the final match, the BCCI official said that the final is the property ofthe board and the franchises have nothing to do with it.

"The knockouts are the property of the BCCI and the revenue earned through gate money is the board's money. The IPL franchises have nothing to do with the knockout matches. The opening match is definitely to be played at the home ground of the previous year's winner. But nothing of that sort with the final match," the official said.

The tournament will be played from March 29 to May 24. The opening game will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.