WPL game on municipal corporation election day in Navi Mumbai likely to happen behind closed doors
Navi Mumbai, January 12
The Women's Premier League is likely to be played behind closed doors due to the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation elections on January 15 at the DY Patil Sports Academy.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the police have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they will not be able to provide adequate security for cricket on the day of the clash between the WPL and the election.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians are set to face UP Warriorz on January 15.
There's still uncertainty about whether matches on January 14 and 16 will also be played behind closed doors.
The official WPL online ticket platform hasn't listed tickets for the January 14, 15, and 16 matches, likely affecting the following games: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz on January 14, Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz on January 15, and Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 16.
These matches are scheduled to take place at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Tickets are being sold for the double-header on January 17 at the DY Patil Stadium - MI vs UPW and DC vs RCB - after which the league moves to Vadodara for the remainder of the season.
The opening fixture of the WPL on Friday drew a near-capacity crowd, and the weekend double-headers also saw strong attendance.
Currently, Gujarat Giants lead the WPL table with 2 wins, while defending champions Mumbai Indians are second.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Safety first, yaar. If the police say they can't provide security, then it's the right call. Municipal elections happen once in five years, WPL matches happen every year. Let's prioritize our democratic duty.
The BCCI should have foreseen this clash of dates. Navi Mumbai Muncipal Corporation elections were scheduled long ago. Poor planning from the organizers, and now fans suffer. Hope they at least offer full refunds smoothly.
It's a sensible decision. Crowd management during elections is crucial. At least the matches will still be broadcast, so we can watch from home. The atmosphere will be missed, but it's for the best.
What about the players? Playing in an empty stadium must be so demotivating, especially for a league that's trying to build momentum. They could have shifted these 3 matches to another venue in the schedule? Just a thought.
Fully support this. Let people vote in peace. Cricket is our passion, but nation (and city) comes first. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 Hope the matches on 14th and 16th are also behind closed doors for consistency and security.
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