How are IPL Playoff venues decided? 

While many may think it is random, there is a certain process behind deciding the venues for IPL playoff matches. 

How are IPL Playoff venues decided? 

IPL 2023 Playoffs

The IPL 2023 Playoffs kicked off with Qualifier 1 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT). The MS Dhoni-led team defeated the defending champions by 15 runs to book a spot in the IPL 2023 Final.

After a calculated batting performance from the batters, CSK bowlers put on a collective effort to bowl out GT for 157. Their spinners, Maheesh Theekshana (2/28) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/18) impressed in particular. 

YouTube video

But with Chennai playing and winning at Chepauk, there was a hue and cry about the four-time champions getting home advantage. Many claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deliberately planned the playoff matches in Chennai and Gujarat. But was that the case?

Of course not. The venues for the IPL 2023 playoffs were decided much before the top four teams were finalized. But there is still one question that might be bothering the fans. How are the IPL playoff venues decided? While many may think it is random, there is a certain process behind deciding the venues for IPL playoff matches. 

The BCCI takes into account the home venues for the winner and runner-up in the previous edition before deciding on IPL Playoff venues. For example, Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals were the winners and runners-up last season respectively. So, Gujarat and Rajasthan were supposed to get the four IPL playoff games between them. While Gujarat, being the winner should have hosted the Final and one of the Qualifiers, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium should have hosted the Eliminator and the other Qualifier. 

Why is Chennai hosting Eliminator and Qualifier 1?

ipl 2023 playoffs chennai

As stated above, Rajasthan and Gujarat should have been the venues for IPL 2023 Playoffs. But then why Chennai got the hosting rights of Qualifier 1 and Eliminator? The explanation is that CSK were the winners in IPL 2021 and could not get a chance to host the playoff matches in IPL 2022 due to covid restrictions. 

Therefore, to compensate for that loss, BCCI hosted the first two playoff games in Chennai. So, the conclusion is, although there is a set of rules to decide the IPL playoff venues, the BCCI can make changes if enough reasons are available.

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