IPL first phase schedule out: No matches in Vizag

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL), featuring 20 matches to be played between March 28 and April 12. However, the announcement has left cricket lovers from the Vizag region disappointed, as the coastal city does not feature as a venue in the schedule released so far.

Over the past two years, the Delhi Capitals franchise has made the Dr. YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, as its second home ground, and hosted two IPL matches at the venue. Cricket fans in the city had expected that Visakhapatnam would once again host a few IPL fixtures, particularly those involving Delhi Capitals. There was also anticipation that some other IPL franchises who were looking for alternative home venues might consider scheduling matches in the city. However, fans remain hopeful that Vizag may still be allotted a couple of matches in the next schedules, since the league spans two months.