The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set a Thursday deadline for the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to submit the necessary government clearances to host the India-Sri Lanka T20 International on February 12 and the World T20 matches.

However, in case the DDCA fails to submit the documents and the BCCI decides to shift the match, then it is likely to go to Ranchi.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has a world-class facility in Ranchi and has already hosted international matches. The stadium has also been accorded Test status recently, though it’s yet to host a match.

Ranchi’s JSCA stadium has also come in for praise from India’s limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“Every foreign player I’ve interacted with has said this is one of the best stadiums in India and among the top-two in the world where cricket is played,” Dhoni had said. “When I first saw the site of this stadium it was difficult to imagine that the stadium can be like this.”

The DDCA, however, is not sparing any effort to host the matches. “We have not received any clearance so far but are moving court on Thursday with a plea that we should be allowed to host the matches,” said a senior DDCA official.

Earlier the BCCI asked the DDCA to submit all papers by Wednesday but now they have extended the deadline by a day. A DDCA official, however, said the association could ask the BCCI to give them time till January 31.

The DDCA officials are also meeting the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Union urban development ministry officials to urge them to direct the various government agencies to provide the clearances.

The DDCA needs permissions and no-objection certificates from several government agencies including the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to host international matches at the Kotla.

Source: The Telegraph