The Kings XI Punjab might play their home matches in Lucknow’s Ekana International Cricket Stadium in the next edition of Indian Premier League. Currently their home ground is Mohali, but the Kings XI Punjab’s team management asked BCCI for the change.
A BCCI official said,”It is a lengthy procedure and not something that can happen overnight. Firstly, the request needs to be submitted to the GC who will then look into it and take into consideration the various factors stated by the franchise for the shift of base. Also, only after they find merit in the request they will forward it to the working committee of the BCCI. But let me tell you, it is a complex procedure and one that shall require time.”
The reason behind this change is the poor home support and also some luck factor of the Kings XI Punjab. The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is eagerly waiting to host some international match. They requested the ICC to host the upcoming third One Day International match between India and New Zealand. But the ICC committee refused the request.
Nevertheless the Ekana Stadium is currently hosting the Ranji Trophy match between Uttar Pradesh and Railways. The IPL committee is also interested to give some matches to this ground in the next year.