KOCHI: After being celebrated as a harbinger of better times for Kerala cricket, the Indian Premier League continues to tease Kochi.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is sitting down on Monday to consider the vexed issue of a home venue for Kochi Tuskers Kerala, following repeated requests by the KTK management - comprising businessmen having roots in Gujarat - to shift the IPL franchise to Ahmedabad.However, sources connected to the BCCI told City Express that shifting the home venue away from the place to which the IPL team’s name is related - as in the case of Kochi Tuskers Kerala - is not going to be easy. It is learnt that the decision is likely to be left to an independent committee which will study the points put forward by the KTK management and the Kerala Cricket Association regarding the issues raised by the former.Kochi Cricket Private Limited, the owner of the newest IPL team, had written to the BCCI stating that they could not continue playing in Kochi as the inaugural season failed to attract enough crowds. The high rate of entertainment tax, that of 24 per cent, levied by the state government was cited as another reason. Gujarat, where the state cricket association is headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is willing to waive the entertainment tax in full, compared to the 50 per cent exemption provided by Kerala. Even as the future of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium as a venue for the high-profile T-20 competition hangs in the balance, the KCA is almost cock-sure that the event will come back to enthrall fans in the state next season as well. Last season, five of KTK’s home matches were played here. Giving credence to that belief is the fact that the BCCI has been a big supporter of KCA, with international matches held in Kochi - barring a washed out India-Australia ODI last year - witnessing packed and boisterous galleries with top class security in place.Countering the KTK owners’ arguments, the KCA stated that it was lack of foresight in setting ticket-rates and its distribution that led to a fall in spectator interest for IPL matches. If the KCA is handed over the responsibility of ticketing, it could bring back the crowds, they point out. “We have submitted our version of the issue to the BCCI. Now it is up to the BCCI to decide,” KCA secretary T C Mathew told City Express.“We have also stated clearly that events that led to a loss in revenue were not of the KCA’s doing. We are going ahead with efforts to get the JN International Stadium and the wickets ready for the hosting the IPL in 2012.” The possibility of having to come back to the original venue is not lost on the Tuskers either. Former India all rounder and Tuskers assistant coach Sanjay Bangar had visited the J N Stadium to ascertain the level of preparedness a few days back and reportedly went back a happy man. Meanwhile, curators are hard at work to prepare the outfield and the wickets for the new season beginning with a Ranji Trophy game on November 10. “We have relaid the centre wickets and have raised the square by a couple of inches,” KCA chief curator P V Ramachandran told City Express.“The outfield is currently being mowed so as to get the green back in the required thickness by November. This season, we are providing six practice wickets, compared to four last season.”
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