INDORE: Cricket enthusiasts of the city were left heartbroken as Indore couldn't make it as one of the two new teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
Indoreans who already were left heartbroken after India lost to Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Sunday, were left furthermore disappointed the next day.
After the announcement of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the two new IPL teams and the Media Rights for the cycle 2023-2027, Indoreans had kept their fingers crossed. But, it couldn't materialize.
"It's certainly heartbreaking that we couldn't get an IPL team as the city is known for giving this country the first Indian captain, Padma Bhushan CK Nayudu," India's first cricket Hindi commentator, Padma shri Sushil Doshi told TOI.
Doshi added that the industrialists didn't come forward otherwise Indore would have been in the forefront.
Indore is known for its rich legacy in cricket as during the Holkar era prior to the country's independence, Indoreans-CK Nayudu and Syed Mushtaq Ali- had proven their mettle at the Lord's stadium, England in 1932.
"I feel sad that Indore couldn't make it. Ultimately, bidders need their own comfort zone. I hope next season, the bidders pick Indore too," president of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), Abhilash Khandekar told TOI.
Indoreans had also supported Kings XI Punjab in the year 2018 when Holkar stadium was declared as their home ground. While Indoreans wished the talks of a home team could have materialized, the enthusiasts are still hopeful that in the coming years they might get a home team.
An IPL franchise of Indore could've been like a solace to the sad heart but this news is upsetting, said another city-based cricket enthusiast, Palash Sanora who had been extremely hopeful that Indore will finally get a franchise after over a span of decade.
