IPL 2022 in all likelihood will feature 10 teams. The cash-rich league is all set for an overall expansion. There has been a lot of whisper surround which cities will become part of the IPL. IPL will feature 76 games once ten teams join the league. The move was set to happen even before the commencement of IPL 2021. But owing to the COVID-19 pandemic the plan was deferred to next year. Stay with us to know IPL New Franchise 2022.
It isn’t the first time that the league will feature 10 teams. IPL saw 10 teams participating in 2011 itself. Apart from the 8 franchises who currently play in the IPL, the league saw the inclusion of Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala. But the Kerala franchise were banned in 2012. IPL 2012 and 2013 saw 9 teams participating. Since 2014, the IPL has been a 8-team affair.
StumpsandBails looks at 5 cities that might become a franchise in the coming year:
#5 Indore
The Holkar Stadium in Indore is an iconic cricket stadium. Virender Sehwag scored a double century in ODI’s in 2011 here. The pitch here is a belter. Fans often get to see huge sixes and fours. It is a quintessential IPL venue. Indore has the potential to be a city gunning for a franchise.
#4 Kochi
Kochi is one city that has great potential to become a new franchise in IPL 2021. The city is home to Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, popularly known as Kaloor Stadium. It has a seating capacity of 60,500 spectators. The fans in Kerala will embrace a franchise structure in their home city. It is one of the more understated venues in the country.
#3 Lucknow
Lucknow is one of the most underrated cricketing venues in India. It is another city that has the potential to become a new IPL franchise in 2022. Lucknow’s international cricket stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000. The Ekana Cricket Stadium is also known as Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Lucknow’s culture is an added advantage to any franchise based out of the city.
#2 Pune
Pune city is one of the strong contenders to become a permanent franchise in IPL. The city has already seen two teams featuring its name on their jersey in the IPL. Pune Warriors India in 2011-13 and Rising Pune Supergiant(s) in 2016-17 were the teams that represented Pune city.
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone if a franchise chooses Pune as an option. The MCA stadium is one of its kind in the country featuring a grass bank for spectators. The outfield is lightning quick and the boundaries are small. It will make for an ideal IPL venue. The RPG group will be keenly looking at Pune as an option if they happen to bid for a team.
#1 Ahmedabad
The 110,000 capacity Narendra Modi Stadium is on everyone’s mind in the IPL. It is a huge opportunity for any franchise to establish Ahmedabad as its home ground. The gate receipts received from this venue will be humungous. It is a state-of-the-art stadium. The franchise can build around the venue and milk its potential. There are widespread speculations that the Adani group will bid for Ahmedabad.
Also read: IPL: 5 Players Who Left RCB And Played Well For Dhoni’s Team
