The Indian Premier League Governing Council announced on Friday that Vizag will be the neutral venue for both the Mumbai Indians and the Rising Pune Supergiants post May 1. In an official statement, the BCCI said-

“

Due to the paucity of time and uncertainty surrounding whether the matches will be held or not, the IPL GC decided that Vizag will be the neutral venue for both Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants.

”

Both the IPL franchises have expressed their satisfaction and are keen to embrace Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam as their home ground for their upcoming home matches.

The change in venue has also resulted in the change of timing for two games on May 15.

The BCCI said the Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad match at Mohali will be played at 4 PM IST and the Mumbai Indians - Delhi Daredevil clash will be played in Vishakhapatnam at 8 PM IST.

The venues of the IPL matches were changed after the Supreme Court of India sided with Bombay High Court on Wednesday and upheld the latter's verdict that no cricket matches of the popular tournament can be held in May in severely drought-hit Maharashtra. The Mumbai Cricket Association had pleaded against shifting IPL out of Maharashtra with the Supreme Court but the apex court dismissed that plea.