The Kochi Tuskers Kerala [ Images ] (KTK) team is all set to play most of their Indian Premier League [ Images ] (IPL) matches of the fourth edition at their home venue, said the co-owners of the franchise.
The Kochi team will be based out of Kochi and will play five matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru [ Images ] Stadium.
KTK, who will make their debut in the upcoming IPL season IV, starting on April 8, is scheduled be play the inaugural match against Royal Challengers [ Images ] Bangalore here on April 9.
Expressing satisfaction with the arrangements at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, one of the owners of the Kochi team, Dhaval Shah who visited the stadium, told reporters this would not be one season affair only.
"We are here for good. We will have all our matches here every year," he said.
Two other co-owners Vivek Venugopal and Ranji Patel, were also present at the stadium.
The team owners have written to the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to shift two matches scheduled at Indore to Kochi.
"We are yet to get a reply from the BCCI."
The owners said they had earlier written to the IPL governing council to shift the venue from Kochi as there were uncertainties about getting it as a permanent venue.
But now the problem has been solved as the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has got the stadium leased from the Greater Cochin Development Authority for five years.
Vivek Venugopal said they have requested the Kochi corporation to give a 100 per cent waiver of entertainment tax.
"The corporation has agreed for 50 per cent waiver as of now," he said.
The owners also expressed satisfaction at the efforts made by the KCA to get the stadium ready.
The practise session of the Kochi team will start from March 26.
The players, who are participating in the World Cup, would take part in the practise sessions and team coach Geoff Lawson is also expected to reach here by this weekend, KCA sources said.
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