IPL: Delhi & Punjab battle it out to make Lucknow second home

New Delhi, Dec 4: The mini auction of the next edition of the Indian Premier League is set to take place on December 19 in Kolkata, but looks like the battle between franchises have already started and this time it is between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals as both franchises want to make the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow their second home.

Speaking to IANS, Uday Sinha - chairman-cum-managing director of Ekana Group - said that talks are still on and it will be a decision that will be taken keeping in mind the views of the franchises, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA).

"We are speaking to both Kings XI as well as Delhi Capitals and we are yet to come to a decision on this. We will have to wait and see how it goes as the views of the BCCI and UPCA will also be taken into account apart from the discussions that are held with the two franchises," he revealed.

Asked how it feels to see two teams battling it out to play their home games at the venue, Sinha said it is a matter of pride for them.

"It is one of the best stadiums in the country and feels really good to see the interest. Also, the revenue generated for the game between India and West Indies (debut game at the venue) was a record," he smiled.

For the record, KXIP had already pushed for Lucknow as their second home ahead of the 2019 edition of the cash-rich league. "KXIP have been looking to move to the city since the last edition and had even sent in a request. But polls had played a major role in causing a delay in the shift," a BCCI official said.