IPL sticks to tradition, Pune to host two playoff matches for 11th edition

Rising Pune Supergiant maybe a defunct team of Indian Premier League, but the IPL governing council has decided to reward the city and the venue by allotting two of the season's playoff matches.

According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium in Pune will host the playoffs on may 23 and 25.

As per the format of the cash-rich tournament, the eliminator and the second qualifier are played at the home ground of the previous season's runners-up.

Rising Pune Supergiants were the runners-up team in the last edition of Indian Premier League. According to the report that played a role in Pune bagging the two playoff matches.

"For the play-off, there was a suggestion that since Rising Pune Supergiant (now defunct) were the runners-up last time, we should give first priority to Pune. If the stadium and the wicket are ready, the first priority would be given to Pune, if not, then we will consider Kolkata for the playoffs," said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla after a governing council meeting on Friday. 

The decision may not sit well with other state associations like Bengal and Uttar Pradesh that have been campaigning to host the games