On the sidelines of a function to formally launch the tournament and announce the fixtures here, a BCCI official confirmed to The Hindu that the International Cricket Council wasn’t keen on continuing with Chennai as a venue once it was clear that three stands would remain locked during the tournament.
However, a compromise was reached once it was proposed that the broadcaster would be informed not to televise any games in Chennai.
Besides, it was also assured that Chennai will not host an India game.
The India game has been moved to Bengaluru even as Chennai has been allotted four matches for the marquee event to be played between March 8 and April 3, 2016. India will play Pakistan in Dharamshala on March 19.
The official explained since “three stands have been closed” it makes for a terrible television viewing experience.
Despite the closure of the stands, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium’s capacity of approximately 28,000 spectators has saved them the agony of being stripped off as a venue for the tournament.
Nagpur and Dharamsala will host the eight-team men’s qualifier from March 8 to 13 while Nagpur will host the main tournament opener, between India and New Zealand.
Despite Mumbai Cricket Association requesting the BCCI to not allow a semifinal in Mumbai, considering the problems with hosting Pakistan in the city, the Wankhede Stadium will host a semifinal.
While Delhi will host the other semifinal, the final will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.