The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shifted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts from Indore to Pune after the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) reported its inability to host the matches.
Officials explained that the unavailability of hotel rooms forced the change.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on Friday that the knockout stage will now take place in two venues: the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje and the Dr DY Patil Academy ground in Ambi, located on the outskirts of Pune.
Top players from across the country are competing in the tournament. Sources indicated that former India captain Rohit Sharma may make himself available for Mumbai during the knockout stage, adding excitement to the competition.
The BCCI operations team already finalised hotel arrangements in Pune for the participating teams. However, the ongoing Indigo flight crisis could affect travel plans. Most domestic teams rely on the budget airline, which has cancelled more than 1,000 flights in recent days.
A senior BCCI official stated that the board is monitoring the situation closely and exploring alternatives to ensure smooth travel for players and match officials. The official emphasised that the priority remains uninterrupted scheduling and player safety.
The sudden venue shift highlighted the challenges of organising large-scale domestic tournaments. While logistical hurdles forced the move, the BCCI assured fans and stakeholders that the knockouts will proceed without disruption.
