The Delhi High Court is not willing to go easy on the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) ahead of the ICC World T20 2016 semi-final game, scheduled to be hosted at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. As of now, there is still uncertainty over the match that will take place March 30.
According to the Indian Express, the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru could likely be the back-up option if the match is shifted from Delhi. However, there is still no official word on the development from the ICC (International Cricket Council) or the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain the plea from the DDCA seeking permission to use the RP Mehra block of the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, which can host up to 2,200 cricket fans, during the semi-final match.
"We were given time till Sunday evening to get clarity over the RP Mehra block," DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda told the publication. "Since the case is in court, we have not got any clarity over the same. The ICC wants to use that particular area for branding and also for seating purposes, since the semi-final is a big game. No official word from BCCI or ICC yet, but our deadline has ended."
"It's a major blow at this juncture. The DDCA is likely to lose out on at least Rs 4 crore if the match is moved out of Feroz Shah Kotla. If it happens, it will be a big big blow for us," Manchanda explained.
The DDCA received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to host the matches for the World T20, but that NOC and occupancy certificate didn't cover the RP Mehra block, which is also used by the media and the broadcasters.
Meanwhile, if there is no positivity in sight for the DDCA, the Feroz Shah Kotla may also lose the England vs Sri Lanka and the South Africa vs Sri Lanka game, apart from the semi-final match.
