MPL shifted to Gwalior over IPL delay & early monsoon

Indore: The Madhya Pradesh League (MPL), originally scheduled to be played at Holkar Stadium in Indore, has now been shifted to Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Shankarpur, Gwalior. The decision comes in light of the early arrival of the monsoon in Indore and the unexpected delay in the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to officials from the MPL Governing Council, logistical arrangements have been finalised to relocate the matches to Gwalior. The tentative start date for the tournament is June 12, although a final decision on the opening day is still awaited.

The first edition of MPL was also held at the Gwalior stadium last year.

The MPL was scheduled to begin on May 27, immediately after the IPL's original end date of May 25. However, the IPL was suspended briefly due to the ongoing India-Pakistan tension, which caused a temporary suspension of matches and pushed the final beyond the expected timeline. With the IPL matches resuming from Saturday, May 17, the IPL final is rescheduled for June 3. Following the IPL finals, the state leagues will be able to commence their matches as per BCCI rules.

In view of the current scenario, organisers deemed it risky to host matches in Indore, where early monsoon rains could disrupt the tournament. Gwalior, on the other hand, is expected to have more favourable weather conditions during the proposed schedule as the monsoon arrives later in Gwalior. This marks another shift for the state's premier T20 league, which previously returned to Indore amid high expectations from fans. However, the change in venue is being viewed as a practical step to ensure uninterrupted matches and proper ground conditions.

Sources from the organising committee confirmed that all remaining fixtures of MPL will now take place in Gwalior. The franchises have also been asked not to book hotels in Indore as the venue is being shifted. Teams and officials will be informed accordingly in detail once the final dates are announced. The decision is expected to impact local cricket enthusiasts in Indore, but the governing council has assured that efforts will be made to maintain the same competitive spirit and fan engagement at the new venue.