Punjab CM Amarinder Singh appeals to BCCI to include Mohali among shortlisted venues for IPL 2021

Chandigarh: Expressing surprise over the exclusion of Mohali from the list of venues short-listed for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday appealed to the BCCI to reconsider the decision.

The CM also assured that his government would make all necessary arrangements for the safety of players amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I am surprised at the exclusion of Mohali Cricket stadium for the upcoming IPL season. I urge and appeal to @BCCI and @IPL to reconsider their decision. There is no reason why Mohali can't host IPL and out government will make all necessary arrangements for safety against #Covid19," the CM tweeted.

The Punjab Cricket Stadium (PCA) at Mohali has been the home base of Punjab Kings franchise.

Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai have been shortlisted as potential venues but the BCCI is yet to take a final call on the matter.

Mumbai was also being considered but a spike in COVID cases means that IPL games are unlikely to be held there.

Punjab's daily COVID-19 count has been relatively low and on Tuesday, 635 new cases were recorded which pushed the active tally to 4,853.

The 2020 IPL was held in the UAE in empty stadiums but there is a possibility that the upcoming edition at home will allow spectators with the COVID situation improving drastically.