The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant last-minute change to the schedule of a major domestic tournament. The governing body has decided to shift the knockout stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) away from its originally planned venue.
Venue Change: From Indore to Pune
The high-stakes knockout matches of the domestic T20 competition were scheduled to be held in Indore from December 12 to 18. However, they will now be staged in Pune. The matches will take place at two premier facilities: the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje and the Dr DY Patil Academy ground in Ambi.
The decision was prompted by a formal request from the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). Rohit Pandit, the CEO of MPCA, explained the situation, stating that they informed the BCCI approximately two weeks ago about their inability to host the event. The primary reason cited was a severe shortage of hotel rooms in Indore, caused by a large global conference of doctors scheduled for December 9-12 in the city.
A BCCI official confirmed the development, noting that the board acted on the MPCA's request and found an alternative venue in Pune. The tournament is crucial as it features quite a few top players from across the country, making smooth logistics essential.
Travel Turbulence Adds to Challenges
Beyond the venue change, the BCCI is grappling with another potential logistical headache. The ongoing crisis with IndiGo flights, which has led to the cancellation of around 1,000 flights and widespread disruption in domestic air travel, could impact the conduct of several domestic tournaments.
A source familiar with the developments highlighted the specific concerns. "If the crisis continues, it could be a challenge to fly the eight participating teams, as well as the umpires and other officials to Pune for the SMAT knockouts," the source said.
The problem is compounded by other simultaneous tournaments. The Women's Under-23 T20 Trophy in Ahmedabad and the Men's Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy are currently underway. Teams and match officials for these events also require constant travel, putting further strain on the already disrupted flight schedules.
League Stage Continues Unaffected
Meanwhile, the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is progressing as planned. The BCCI is conducting this phase across four centres: Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. The performance in these league matches will determine which teams advance to the relocated knockout stage in Pune.
This last-minute shift underscores the complex logistical planning involved in organizing India's extensive domestic cricket calendar. The BCCI will be hoping for a swift resolution to the airline disruptions to ensure a seamless transition for players and officials heading to Pune for the tournament's decisive phase.
