BCCI technical committee to inspect Kochi’s home venue

KOCHI - A three member technical committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and owners of Indian Premier League’s Kochi franchise will inspect the facilities at the cricket stadium here Monday.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, situated in the heart of the commercial capital of the state, is the only cricket stadium in the state where international matches have been held.

Rendezvous Sports World in March won the Kochi franchise for a bid price of Rs.1,500 crore.

Officials from the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) will also be present here Monday.

Speaking to IANS, Ernakulam District Cricket Association secretary Jayesh George said that the ground has not hosted any international matches in the past two years and “we are now in line to get an ODI match against the visiting Australian team. We will know the fixtures later this month.”

“The ground has undergone major renovation and the Greater Cochin Development Authority has invested around Rs.7 crore and has re-laid the entire turf. A roof above the stands has also come up besides new chairs. The KCA has to take care of the floodlights and other internal facilities and if new lights have to be placed, the entire investment would range from Rs.3-5 crore,” said George.

After inspection, the BCCI technical committee will place the matter in the board meeting which takes place later this month when they meet the IPL owners to decide on the home venues.

“No doubt, we are confident that this stadium will be cleared and the home matches of IPL Kochi team will be held here. Moreover, since we have ample time ahead of us, whatever things have to be finalized can be done,” added George.

WIth a brand new Rs.300 crore cricket stadium coming up near here, the 2012 edition of IPL can be staged at the new venue.