There has been disappointing news for the cricket fans of Kanpur. The organizers of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League have decided that this season's playoff matches will not be played at the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The playoff matches including the final have been shifted to Lucknow. The first phase of the league was played at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Bajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. After this, the second phase and playoff of the league was to be held in Kanpur but the organizers have decided to hold the playoff in Lucknow.

Why did the playoff shift to Lucknow?

In view of the continuous rain in Kanpur, the playoff has been shifted to Lucknow. UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor gave this information during the press conference at Green Park Stadium. He said that due to continuous rain in Kanpur, it is not possible to complete the matches, due to which the game and the talents of the players are being affected. In such a situation, in important and decisive matches like playoffs, it is very important that all the teams get equal opportunity to play the full 20 overs.

Sanjay Kapoor told that the weather forecast was observed in the coming days, in which continuous rain was visible in Kanpur. Therefore, considering the circumstances, the decision to shift the playoff matches and finals to Lucknow has been taken with a heavy heart. He said that the interest of the players, providing equal and better playing conditions to all the teams and maintaining the quality of the matches is the first priority of the league management.

This decision is not in favor of any one team – Sanjay Kapoor

Sanjay Kapoor said that the decision to shift the playoffs to Lucknow has not been taken in favor or against any one team, but in the interest of the fairness of the game and the players. Wet outfield due to continuous rain in Kanpur may increase the risk of injury for players. He further said that the physical and mental fatigue caused to the players due to frequent interruption of matches due to weather and matches ending late in the night in shorter formats has also been taken into consideration.

Sanjay Kapoor said that in our view, all the teams reaching the playoffs should get better conditions to perform to their full potential. He believes that the league management wants to give players a chance to play the full 20 overs in important matches like playoffs. He further informed that the dates of playoff matches and finals have not been changed. All matches will be held in Lucknow on pre-determined dates.