IPL on, but no T20 matches on day of counting

Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi on Friday assured that there would be no matches in any city on the day of counting of votes.

Modi said the IPL was on with the duration of the tournament remaining the same but a revised schedule would be released soon. "We are making a new schedule for IPL matches," he said.

"It's a cumbersome process, because there are blackout dates in several cities due to elections," the former RCA President said.

However, the venue for the opening game of the tournament has been shifted from Jaipur to Mumbai.

Rejecting speculations that the event may be held in another country, Modi said there was no question of moving to another country.

He said that he was looking for alternate venues to allocate IPL matches other than the fixed eight cities.

"We currently have over 14 cities that are available to stage matches, we now have to reduce that list to eight," Modi said.

The IPL organizers tried to avoid a delay to the event by earlier saying they would not need national paramilitaries to provide security, and could get by with local police forces in the host cities.

Modi said he was thankful to the Home Minister for receiving assurances on security.

"We're extremely grateful and thankful to the Home Minister for his clarification that security will be provided for IPL matches," Modi said.

"There's no reservation about security, we have our security experts in and holding discussions with them," he added.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that Cricket was safe in India but IPL dates needed to be reworked.

Maharashtra demands five battalions for IPL security

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Government has asked the Centre to send five battalions to ensure security of cricket players during the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

"We have demanded five battalions to ensure security of the cricketers during IPL matches, in the backdrop of terror attack on Sri Lanka players in Lahore," state Home Minister Jayant Patil said on Friday.

Patil assured that adequate security would be provided to the players during matches.

The cloud of uncertainty over the high-profile IPL lifted today when T20 League Chairman Lalit Modi declared that it would be held in the country with modifications in the schedule.

Doubts were raised over the second edition of the tournament in the wake of the deadly terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore and the general elections which coincide with the league that starts April 10.

Revised IPL dates submitted, says Srinivasan

Chennai: Mr. N. Srinivasan — the straight-talking BCCI secretary — shared his views with The Hindu in a free-wheeling interview here on Thursday. Importantly, he spoke on the security situation in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Lahore and the Indian Premier League.

After the terrorist strike in Lahore, there are concerns over the security situation in India.

We should not look at the whole area as a sub-continent but see each country separately. India is a safe country.

There has been a request from the government to postpone the IPL in view of the upcoming polls…

Given the constraints of the international calendar, there is no other window in the year for the IPL. We have drawn the schedule in a fashion that puts least strain on the security forces. We have forwarded a revised list of dates for the IPL. The matches do not clash with the polling dates. It is being examined by the government. In any case, we will strive to preserve the IPL this year.

Somebody like Jacob Oram has expressed his worries on travelling to India for the IPL…

When one player expresses concern, you cannot generalise. All teams have toured India. The cricketers realise that this is a safe place to play cricket.

Wouldn’t you agree that we are living in difficult and rather dangerous times?

The world has changed. Terrorism has struck all parts of the globe. There seems to be a risk everywhere and people in all walks of life feel threatened — particularly when they are travelling. Unless the cause of the extremism is dealt with, how can we expect the world to be safer? In these times, the issue of security requires greater attention.

Yet, in the case of specific events, we have seen that it is possible to hold an international cricketing event in India, even in a charged environment. The two-Test series against England was held in Chennai and Mohali soon after the terror strikes in Mumbai. The security provided to the cricketers was extensive and excellent. The series was conducted smoothly.

What worries you most about the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore?

It appears that the route was changed on the basis of an anonymous call. And the attackers had very easy access to the team bus. This is shocking.

The Sri Lankan team emerged from the ordeal with great dignity…

The Sri Lankan team went through a horrifying experience. It should not have happened to anyone, let alone sportspersons. The composure displayed by the Lankan team in these circumstances has to be admired.

There are serious doubts about Pakistan staging its share of World Cup 2011 matches…

Under the circumstances, the matches that were to be held in Pakistan will have to come to India.

You were part of a meeting involving the ICC, BCCI and the ICL in South Africa recently. The deliberations failed…

Yes, there was no agreement on the way forward. BCCI’s position with regard to ICL has been clear.

Do you believe the economic recession will impact the IPL?

So far, no. Most of the IPL rights have been sold. There is a lot of stability with regard to the IPL income.

You are also the convenor of the selection panel. And the selectors have got most things right in what has been a successful phase for Indian cricket.

Absence of bias will deliver results.

What is it about Mahendra Singh Dhoni that impresses you the most?

His focus.

The spectator response for Test cricket has been dwindling…

In some countries like Australia and England, and in some centres in India, there is still interest in Test cricket. The in-stadia viewership for Test cricket differs from country to country. You also have to recognise that, today, fans can see cricket played all across the globe on television. Times have changed. I remember about 30 years ago, when me, my father, family and friends, would travel to the stadium in a large group to watch Test matches. There was invariably only one Test in your city in a year. Each Test was a social event. Those days are behind us now.

In some countries, such as Australia, there is good crowd for Test cricket but the spectator response for the ODIs is dipping. But if you look at the three forms of the game as a whole, both, the viewership and the revenue have gone up.

Cricket seems to be losing some of its old world charm. For instance, it has become increasingly difficult for the average fan to meet the players…

After the match-fixing scandal broke out, all boards are in concurrence on the question of access to the players. There are certain issues that take precedence.

Shilpa breaks the ice with Preity

Stories of the two IPL queens battling it out on the playing field and on television came to a sudden turning point this week when Shilpa Shetty extended an olive branch to her supposed rival in the IPL Preity Zinta.

Shilpa and Raj Kundra are hosting a grand party to celebrate their entry into the IPL on March 10 at the Grand Hyatt. And Preity is invited.

"I really want these unsavoury rumours about our rivalry to end. On an impulse I sent an SMS to Preity inviting her for the party that Raj and I are hosting," said Shilpa.

Shilpa was pleasantly surprised when Preity replied back. "She said she'd love to come. But can't because she'd be out of town. I think that just about takes care of that. I'm sure we'll have other occasions to interact. For now it's enough that she accepted my invitation."

Shilpa thinks these rivalry stories are unnecessary. "We're both decent well brought-up girls. We were even together in the Bachchans' world tour. And we got along fine. We don't need to be seen as these warring women at all, please."

About the party Shilpa said: "It's been a while since Raj and I had friends share in our happiness. The IPL deal is a good occasion to have a get-together. We're inviting all our friends."

Yes, No, Yes: Confusion reigns on IPL

Confusion reigned on Thursday, with TV channels stating that the second Indian Premier League was off as the government wouldn’t provide security. Even as industry began counting losses, IPL officials denied the development.

Tournament director Dhiraj Malhotra told Hindustan Times the TV reports were “untrue”. “We have been working on the revised schedule. As far as we are concerned, the tournament is on. ”

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre would not object if state governments took on the onus of making security arrangements from their own resources. It would, however, be a problem if the states needed central forces, a home ministry official said, saying the MHA could not divert forces from the election process.

The home ministry also said the government was yet to hear from the states on the matter. However some states have made their priorities clear. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi told reporters: “It is better to put on hold these matches than to regret later even if there is one untoward incident.”

Meanwhile, IPl chairman Lalit Modi emailed team owners, saying a revised schedule with the MHA and local administrations was being worked out.

Players will be safe in India during IPL

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta spoke to CNN-IBN about the BCCI's intentions to postpone the IPL to a later date so as to not clash with the dates of the general elections.

CNN-IBN: Do you endorse the opinion of other team owners raising concern over player safety for the IPL?

Preity Zinta: I think we have full faith in the system and the Government in India. Player safety shouldn't be such a great concern in India. Even when the England team was playing in India, they were completely safe (at the time of the Mumbai terror attack). I would like to give the benefit of doubt to the system to keep everyone safe during the IPL.

CNN-IBN: The BCCI has agreed to reschedule some of the IPL matches so that they don't clash with the elections. But what P Chidambaram, the Home Minister, has said that it's going to be very difficult to move security forces around for two much big events. Wouldn't that be a huge concern?

Preity Zinta: That's the Government's decision and we respect that. We as owners are going to have a lot of security in and around the stadiums, that goes without saying. But we need to be positive and look at the brighter side and as opposed to being worried and scared. The idea of terrorism is to infuse fear and confusion among people. I can assure you that and from the system I would hope there would be great security cover and things would be fine.

CNN-IBN: Have any of your players voiced any concern because Jacob Oram, the Kiwi all-rounder who plays for Chennai Super Kings, is said to have second thoughts about coming to India.

Preity Zinta: None of our players as of now have voiced any concern as such. Nobody has come forward and said anything. In fact, not even the two Sri Lankan players (Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara) have said anything of that nature to us. Our prayers are with them and thankfully, most of them are safe and sound. Incidents like these are unfortunate. It's unfortunate for cricket and sport in general.

But I would like to say that we have full faith in the Indian security and the Government's ability to protect sporstmen and its country's citizens. It's being unfair on people who have lost their lives in protecting them to come out and say that they have fears.

CNN-IBN: Have you been in touch with Sangakkara and Jayawardene after the incident?

Preity Zinta: We have been in touch with their families and they are safe. I think everyone has been a little jilted and shocked about what happened. But they are safe.

Bullets and blood; not bat and ball

A mere 15 minutes of mayhem and madness in Lahore was all that it took to bring the cricketing edifice tumbling down.

Call it destiny or fate or whatever, it was gratifying that the Sri Lankan team survived the terrorists’ bullets. Some of the players spilt blood even as the security personnel guarding their bus lost their lives. It was a moment in time when cricket stood battered and bloodied, and more significantly, the incident put in perspective the fact that sport and politics are inseparable.

This is not the forum to discuss which “hand” was responsible for the cowardly act or blame the Sri Lankans for exposing themselves by touring Pakistan.

The point rather is that terrorists thrive on misplaced sense of “duty” that has deep roots in politics. These brainwashed gunmen are like the remote-controlled torpedoes that snake under the waves, unseen and undetected to destroy the target – be it a ship or a human being. Thus, in the times that we live in, those who shout that sport should be kept away from politics are either ignorant or just foolish and naïve.

A couple of months ago, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan had insisted that the Indian team should proceed with the scheduled Pakistan tour that was eventually cancelled. Imran even gave a “personal guarantee” on the safety of the team! As the Lahore incident proved, Imran was nothing but a loud mouth before whom Indian television channels prostrate to get a byte of “wisdom”!

What he and the others seemed to forget is that sport lost all its innocence as far back as in 1936 when Hitler used the Berlin Olympics to highlight the “supremacy of Aryan race”.

The dictator unwittingly integrated sport into politics.

In the subsequent years, the American blacks marked the 1968 Olympics with their raised fist salute; four years later, Palestine terrorists gunned down Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics; the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Games were marred by politically-motivated boycotts.

Thus, historically, sport and politics have always gone hand in hand. Hence, any thoughts of keeping the two at a distance should be dispensed with.

In the context of the Lahore incident, we need to look beyond issues such as security. Sport is not immune or insulated from reality. At best, it is a pastime of a privileged few professionals. It is just another job that pays, and some sports offer career opportunities even if for a limited period during which the practitioners can line their little nests.

Under the circumstances, in the overall canvas of life, sport is a mere pinhead or less in terms of its significance, much like our planet is in the Universe. Hopefully, our cricketing authorities will have probably realised and appreciated that by now, while looking ahead.

The BCCI is waging an intense battle to save the IPL from postponement (read cancellation) and the arguments that they are putting forth, defy logic in the short term.

It is all fine to talk about using the IPL to project that India is a safe haven, but the sad reality is that it is not in the present scenario.

The ease and impunity with which violent acts are being committed exposes the frailty of the security and intelligence systems.

After the Lahore incident, neither the ICC nor the BCCI nor the IPL can claim that cricketers are not being targeted.

At the heart of the matter is money. The estimated “loss” through postponement or cancellation of the IPL is said to be about Rs 600 Crores, with over 50 per cent of the amount from TV advertisement revenues. I am with the government that is saying that it cannot guarantee “foolproof” security to the IPL players and teams in view of the general elections that coincide with the tournament.

The question to be asked is whether it is worth taking such a huge risk? The Indian cricketing authorities are past masters at revenue generation and I bet, they can devise means to make good the loss. So, the money can always be generated, but a life lost to a bullet or a bomb is a loss for good.

As for the players, it is a moot point whether they will be happy to be treated like glorified prisoners, living for six weeks under virtual “house arrest”, away from their adoring fans.

International sporting events these days are held under suffocating security blanket. It is uncomfortable to be subjected to repeated frisking and searches, and being watched all the time. I can say from experience that it is no more a joy to attend a cricket match.

Lastly, what about cricket itself?

The four Test-playing nations in the sub-continent are plagued by security concerns; England and the West Indies are reeling from Stanford scandal; Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are barely able to stay afloat. The ICC, at best, is indecisive.

Thus, if India that generates nearly 80 per cent of the revenues, is declared an unsafe cricketing destination, then it would not be long before cricket implodes as an international sport.

This is the thought that is driving the Indian cricketing authorities to rescue the 2009 IPL. Whether they would be able to have their way remains to be seen. But for the moment, it is all about blood and bullets and not so much bat and ball.

Bindra Says Postponing IPL out of Question

He also spoke about the security issues faced by the IPL and said that he understood the government’s point of view that resources would be stretched given that the Loksabha elections are to be held at the same time. He however appeared confident of being able to find a solution by rearranging some matches. “I heard Mr. Chidambaram's interview and thought he was pretty flexible in what he said. We understand the government's point of view and are positive we can work out a solution by rearranging some of the matches. We'll be meeting with the Home Secretary shortly and this should be sorted out,” he said.

Bindra however clarified that there was no question of moving the IPL to after the elections. “There is no other slot available for the IPL. If we cannot agree on rescheduling some matches, we would have to cancel the event,” he said.

He touched on the issue of private security saying that formulations and the overall security plan would be handled by private security and also spoke about the South African security consultants Nicholls, Steyn & Associates, who were brought in after the Jaipur blasts during last summer's IPL who prepared a detailed risk assessment and protection strategy and makes suggestions that are then given to all the host cities. “Last time, we implemented their suggestion that control rooms, normally located in basements in Indian stadiums, were moved to places from where security supervisors could have a complete view of the grounds. It's a detail that makes matters more foolproof,” he said.

Preity convinces Kiwi PM on IPL

There is a lot of tension in the wake of the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan putting the Indian Premier League at jeopardy. The media is abuzz with reports that cricketers from Australia, New Zealand and England might pull out of the IPL citing security reasons. However it seems Bollywood actress and owner of the Kings XI Punjab team Preity Zinta has taken up the onus of persuading foreign players to participate in the month-long tournament. A source close to her adds, “Preity convinced the New Zealand prime minister John Key that India is safe and the Indian forces are capable of providing strong security to the players.”

The charming lady spoke to the Kiwi PM at a reception in Wellington that the latter hosted in honour of the visiting India cricket team. Reacting to the Lahore attack, Preity adds, “It’s a sad day for cricket and any sports in general. I am deeply shocked at what has happened and I strongly condemn these attacks. My sympathies are with the Sri Lankan team and I hope they come out of it."

“I have been in touch with Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene who are part of my Indian Premier League team. They are fine. My prayers are with those boys…” she adds.

On a different note, how was the interaction with the prime minister? "It was really a pleasure meeting the man who is so down-to-earth and I hear is extremely popular," says Preity. What did Preity and Key discuss? We are told they mostly discussed cricket.

Michael Vaughan Says England Players Should Play In IPL

Former England Captain Michael Vaughan says the England players picked for the Indian Premier League should go to the competition.

Questions have been raised over player safety at the tournament following the Lahore attacks.

Indian Premier League organizers have submitted revised security plans proposing the use of local police rather than national paramilitaries, in a bid to avoid delaying this year's tournament.

Indian lawmakers had been concerned about security forces being overstretched because the IPL will be held at the same time as national elections, and a delay of the tournament had been proposed by some.

However the IPL has told the Home Ministry that it does not require national paramilitary forces and has proposed some shifts in match schedules to accommodate security required for elections, while not delaying the tournament as a whole.

Raman Srivastava, special secretary of internal security in the Home Ministry, said Thursday that IPL organizers had offered a revised match schedule which avoided clashes.

The IPL starts on Friday April 10th and runs to Friday 29th May.

Smith calls on ICC to step up security

	Graeme Smith's South Africa was the last team before Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan for Tests, in October 2007

Graeme Smith has called on the ICC to take hands-on responsibility for all cricket tours in the wake of terrorists targeting the Sri Lanka team in Lahore. The combination of the Lahore shootout and the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November has left some international players jittery about touring in the region and Smith said it was time for the ICC to become more proactive.

"We've got a massive tour to India next year after England, IPL is around the corner so from our perspective I would like to see security become a decision across the board," Smith said in Durban. "I think the ICC need to regulate it and they need to play a bigger part in it and ultimately take more responsibility for the security of touring teams."

Smith's South Africa was the last team before Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan for Tests, in October 2007. Smith said as his players remembered back to that trip they were imagining themselves in the same position as the Sri Lankans, whose bus was attacked on the way to the Gadaffi Stadium on Tuesday.

"Our squad was pretty emotional about it," Smith said. "I think we could relate to it in a way having recently in the last year and a half toured Pakistan and gone through a lot of the emotions of touring a place like that.

"Having turned down going back to Karachi for various reasons and having all that security around us, we could almost picture ourselves sitting on a bus. I don't think you could have a picture of rockets going past the corner of your bus, but you could sort of relate to it."

Smith said the players would no doubt be concerned about visiting the subcontinent for the IPL and the World Cup in 2011 but it was important not to make hasty decisions. He said his squad would continue to take the advice of Cricket South Africa and its security consultants.

"We need to view it with an open mind in regards to the 2011 World Cup but I certainly know the emotions that are flying around at the moment, the guys don't want to be going back to a place like that," Smith said. "That's what we need to look and trust the people around us like we always have to make the right decisions.

"I don't think any of us want to risk our lives for a situation. The whole area has been a touch volatile but we're not going to pre-judge now and say no we're not going to go [to the IPL], yes we're going to go. We're going to take it like we take every tour."

IPL submits new schedule to Home Ministry

In an attempt to save the Indian Premier League`s (IPL) second edition, the organisers for the event have sent a revised schedule of the high-profile event to the home ministry, which will now decide whether security can be arranged for the Twenty20 tournament.

The tournament was derailed after deadly terror attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore and the general elections in India which coincide with the league that starts April.10.

The organisers have re-drawn the schedule of the tournament taking care that no matches are held on polling days in the cities hosting the games. The organizers have seen that there is a two day gap between the day poll is conducted and the matches. Though there was no meeting between the league officials and home ministry officials there would be a meeting if any clarifications is required.

The organisers donot want to postpone the tournament as it may lead to massive financial loss for the franchise owners as well the tournament itself.

The Home Ministry has made it clear that providing security for the league during the time of general elections would be difficult, due to shortage of paramilitary forces and the time it is likely to take for deploying them for election duty.

The security agencies are themselves unwilling to stretch for the league and have told the government to press for a postponement of the high-profile event.

The terror attack on the Sri Lankan team on Tuesday in Lahore has also compounded the problems for the IPL organisers, who now expect pullouts by many of the foreign players.

Federation of International Cricketers Association chief executive Tim May has already sought a wider role in assessing the security for players during the IPL.

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram, who plays for Chennai Super Kings, has stated that cricket was not above life for him and he would give it a hard thought before deciding whether to travel to India or not.

Like Oram, many other players may now be reluctant to play in the sub-continent, which has witnessed a number of terror attacks in the recent past.

A decision on whether the Indian Premier League can go ahead with a revised schedule would be taken after the central government discusses the matter with the host states and the Election Commission.

The IPL organisers have conveyed to the Home Ministry that they do not require any central forces for the security.

The new schedule starts from April.10 and ends on May.24. The states where the IPL matches are scheduled to be held are Delhi, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu and Karnataka.

IPL players express concern on security arrangements

New Delhi: As a fallout of the Lahore attack, the Indian Premiere League of cricket could be the latest casualty.

Out for a duck in the Napier one-day match and bowling two overs which were quite forgettable for giving 19 runs, Jacob Oram made little impact on the field.

But off it, he seems to have opened up a can of worms, saying: “I think there are definite questions to be asked. The IPL has given me an economic freedom that I didn't even dream about, but I have a family now. Cricket's important, but it is not as important as my life.”

He hinted quite clearly that he was scared to come and play in the sub-continent after the attack on the Sri Lankan players in Lahore on Tuesday.

“(IPL chief) Lalit Modi and the IPL stakeholders have given assurances that the security will be beefed up for the event. I'll be thinking twice, before going to play in the sub-continent," Oram added.

Indian politician and former BCCI president Sharad Pawar refuted that the comparison with Pakistan made any sense.

“I do not think in India one should worry as when in pakistan. Our security forces are quite competent and our public is alert. I do not think that that type of situation is here,” Pawar said, refusing to allow India to be tainted with the same brush as Pakistan.

Pawar's statement comes just a day after the Union Home Mminister P Chidambaram told CNN-IBN that he would prefer if the IPL was rescheduled.

"We are at the time looking for if the dates could be adjusted so that the paramilitary forces are not stretched too much,” Chidambaram had said.

While IPL bosses insist that tweaking the schedule could do the trick, the Lahore attacks have undoubtedly cast a shadow. Security fears are greater than ever before and the federation of International Cricketers' Associations' has asked for more assurances, saying: “We have written to the Indian Premier League on behalf of our members requesting an ability for player representatives to be involved in the evaluation and construction of security for the Event - an increasing number of players have expressed a desire for an independent level of comfort surrounding security arrangements re this Event.”

Last year, the Jaipur blasts in the middle of the IPL didn't derail the tournament but after the Sri Lankan team's tryst with terror, cricket is unlikely to be governed by the same rules again.

Meanwhile, Punajb's Deputy Chief Minister,Sukhbir Badal says Punjab is ready to hold IPL matches provided the State's forces remain within the State.

"Punjab is ready to provide security to IPL if Punjab forces are allowed to stay within the State and not moved out as demanded by the Center for elections in other States," said Badal.

IPL council sends new schedule to ministry

The ripples of the shocking terror attack in Lahore was felt back home with the Home Minister P Chidambaram telling NDTV that it is impossible to have a high profile event like IPL during the election.

And so the IPL governing council met on Wednesday and worked out a new schedule, which has been forwarded to the Home Ministry for consideration. A final word on it is expected by Friday.

According to the current schedule, 24 IPL matches clash with the elections. IPL is worried that if the Home Ministry hinders them from going ahead, the tournament may not take place this year given the busy international calendar of the teams.

Home Ministry waiting for IPL response

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, the Home Ministry appears to be in no mood to leave anything to chance regarding security arrangements for the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket matches.

The IPL tournament, which begins on April 10, also coincides with the Lok Sabha elections, and Home Minister P. Chidambaram has indicated that IPL should consider postponing the matches as agencies had suggested that it would not be possible to provide the required security for the matches.

“We have been in touch. They [IPL] will come back to us,” Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told reporters here on Wednesday. For the general elections, the Ministry would need to mobilise about 600 to 700 companies of Central Para-Military Forces. Both Eastern and Western borders also need heightened vigil in view of the situation in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The elections are due to begin on April 16 and go on till May 13.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has also indicated that a review of the dates was on.

The former BCCI president, Sharad Pawar, said security for the IPL matches was not a cause for worry but the government’s view on the matter should be taken into account by the organisers.

“I do not think in India one should worry [about security] like Pakistan. I don’t think that type of situation is here. Our security forces are quite competent and the public is alert,” Mr. Pawar, Agriculture Minister, told reporters here.

SRK to finalise the IPL anthem

Shah Rukh Khan has asked Vishal-Shekhar as well as Pritam to do the remix version of the IPL anthem 'Karbo, Larbo, Jeetbo Re'. He will finally select the version which he likes best.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders’ anthem ‘Karbo, Larbo, Jeetbo Re’ will become a remixed number during the forthcoming IPL season. Our source says that now SRK wants a modified version of the anthem for which music directors Vishal-Shekhar and Pritam are close contenders. Interestingly, SRK will choose whichever of the two versions he will prefer.

While SRK has instructed Vishal-Shekar, who had composed the original anthem last year, to come up with a remixed version for this year’s IPL, he also approached his current favourite music director Pritam who gave music in his recent home production Billu for the same.

Our source said, “Vishal-Shekar and Pritam are both working on the same anthem. Let’s see who comes up with a better composition. The offer to both the music directors was made only recently.”

It may be recalled that last year, Vishal-Shekar were closely associated with SRK since they were working with him on Om Shanti Om even while composing the anthem for Kolkata Knight Riders. However lately, SRK and Pritam have also been working closely because of Billu.

When contacted, Vishal asked, “Who told you this?” and he quickly went on to deny that SRK had approached them to modify ‘Karbo, Larbo, Jeetbo Re’. Vishal added, “I would love to do something like that and give some sort of a spin to the anthem.” Shekar too denied that SRK had approached them for a remixed version but then he quickly added, “That would be really cool.”

Vishal said, “I haven’t heard that SRK has asked Pritam to do the remixed version. SRK is a professional and if such a thing happens, we will be told about it. But, if Pritam goes on to do it, we have no issues as long as the anthem rocks and the team is inspired by it.”

Despite repeated attempts, Pritam remained unavailable for comment. We sent a text message to SRK but he didn’t reply.

As for whose remixed version SRK will finally select, may the best man win.

Jacob Oram has fears about IPL

WELLINGTON: After the shock, comes the fear. Even as cricket is reconciling to an unsafe world, the players are now wondering if they can take the risk of going over to the subcontinent for a mere game, and a few dollars.

‘‘I’d need to have a rubber arm to go back there,’’ said New Zealand’s top all-rounder Jacob Oram here on Wednesday. He was only reacting to the prospect of going to Pakistan later this year, for a scheduled tour. ‘‘ I love playing cricket but I don’t want to go somewhere where my life can be in jeopardy.’’

Oram was merely echoing the sentiment running through cricketers around the world. On Tuesday, his skipper Daniel Vettori categorically stated that the tour to Pakistan was off; India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni too declared that no team would go next-door for at least a few years.

‘‘ A bomb went off outside our hotel a few years ago (in Pakistan),’’ reminded Oram. ‘‘ We haven’t been very keen to go back there since then. But what has now happened (to Sri Lanka) just confirms that it isn’t the safest place to go.’’

The NZ cricket association, however, was quick to step forward and clarify that the tour was still officially not off. ‘‘ After the tragic events on Tuesday , our tour to Pakistan in October-November appears very unlikely. But there is no final decision as yet,’’ said NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan.

‘‘ On another tour, another year it could well have been us,’’ said Oram, giving vent to the sense of helplessness among players. The fears, however , don’t stop at Pakistan’s doorsteps. Suddenly, India is not safe anymore either.
‘‘I don’t think I had any worries about going to India ever. However, after what happened in Mumbai (in November last year) there are definitely some questions to be asked. I won’t say not as yet. But if it gets worse, we will have to seriously look at it again,’’ he said.

Oram was, of course, referring to the lucrative IPL in April-May . Ironically, the tournament that changed the face of cricket, and the lives of many international players, might not even take place this year. The Indian government has already hinted that it might be a better idea to move it owing to the parliamentary elections.

‘‘The IPL has obviously opened doors for me financially that I could only dream of. But now I’m married and it would take a lot to turn a blind eye to what’s going on,’’ he said. Oram plays for Team Chennai, alongside Dhoni and Murali, among others.

Last year, the IPL had a circus feel to it. But events in India and Pakistan have meant that reality has hit home. ‘‘ We take things like safety for granted here. Things that are not readily available there,’’ he added.

The New Zealand team had a light practice session upon arriving in Wellington for the second One-dayer here. The Indians preferred to give it a skip, following a convincing 53-run victory on Tuesday.

‘‘Nothing went well for us all day,’’ conceded Oram, who bowled only two overs for 19 on his return from an Achilles tendon injury. ‘‘ We didn’t hit the areas we knew we had to bowl to against these guys. We had plans, we didn’t execute them and it highlighted if you miss against these guys you go the distance.’’

Police want IPL games rescheduled

KOLKATA/NEW DELHI, March 4: The Kolkata Police today asked officials of Red Chillies Entertainment, which owns the Kolkata Knight Riders, to have Indian Premier League matches clashing with the Lok Sabha elections here rescheduled. Mr Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti, police commissioner, later told reporters the IPL authorities too would be sent the same request.

He said Red Chillies Entertainment and the Cricket Association of Bengal had been advised online IPL ticket sales. Officials of the CAB, International Management Group, KKR and Red Chilies Entertainment were present at the meeting where the appeal had been made. The CAB was urged carefully to scrutinise Eden Gardens' infrastructure. Deployment of additional policemen for the IPL was promised.

Mr Ardhendu Sen, home secretary, said no security would be provided if IPL matches coincided with the polls in the state. IPL officials met today in Chennai to save the event amid speculation it would be postponed. It is willing to revise the competition's schedule to avoid matches on and around polling days in the cities where the franchises are based. A fresh schedule is to be submitted tomorrow to the home ministry for talks and the final decision. Word is security agencies, unwilling to stretch themselves for the event, today told the government to press for a postponement of the tournament. If the organisers are forced to postpone the IPL, it will be difficult to find a slot to hold the event this year.

PL team owners worried about security, polls

New Delhi: The General Elections seems to have cast a shadow over the second season of the Indian Premier League with team owners raising concern about players security after the Home Ministry said that providing security to teams and match venues will due to Lok Sabha polls.

Now IPL team owners, too, are raising concern about players’ security after Tuesday's attack on Sri Lankan players in Lahore.

Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty said that the IPL must ensure security for all players involved in the Twenty20 tournament.

"The only thing that IPL board can do at this point is to beef up the security. It's a really sad day for sports... for such an unfortunate thing to happen. But I am trying to be positive and I empathise with the cricketers who have suffered, the Sri Lankan cricketers, and the umpire who got hurt," said Shipla.

Shilpa's views were echoed by Kings XI Punjab Preity Zinta, who also expressed apprehensions about the security scenario.

"Every cricketer and person is worried about the attacks carried out on a cricket team. It's important that people should not panic. All team owners will have to make sure that adequate security is given to the cricketers," said Zinta referring to the attack on Sri Lankan team in which six players and an umpire was injured.

"We have full faith in the Government of India. We request the government to keep the players and tournament safe. That’s a government decision we respect. Within the stadium and outside we will be having our own security. We have to look at the brighter side. The idea of terrorism is to infuse fear. I hope that there would be great security," said Zinta.

Zinta also said that changing dates of IPL matches might create some problem.

"None of Punjab XI players have expressed concerns on security but rescheduling is a concern for every team. It's extremely important for people to go and vote as well. We will work around the schedules. It takes time to set up the tournament schedule. We set up the schedule in two months time," Zinta said about some IPL matches clashing with Lok Sabha election dates.

Meanwhile, international cricketers, too, have begun voicing their concern over the IPL.

"I think there are definite questions to be asked. The IPL has given me an economic freedom that I didn't even dream about, but I have a family now. Cricket's important, but it is not as important as my life. Lalit Modi and the IPL have given assurances that the security will be beefed up for the event. I'll be thinking twice, before going to play in the sub-continent," New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram, who plays for the Chennai Super Kings, said.

Oram's concerns were echoed by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations' (FICA) Chief Executive Tim May.

"We have written to the Indian Premier League on behalf of our members requesting ability for player representatives to be involved in the evaluation and construction of security for the Event. An increasing number of players have expressed a desire for an independent level of comfort surrounding security arrangements for this Event," said May.

Despite the support of Shilpa Shetty, unease grows over Indian Premier League

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has recorded a promotional video
for the Indian Premier League (IPL) team the Rajasthan Royals

Even as the Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was launching the promotional video for the Indian Premier League (IPL) team the Rajasthan Royals, more doubts were being expressed today that the tournament would go ahead as planned.

Estimates put the total potential losses if the IPL is cancelled at 20billion rupees, or £285m, putting a huge hole in the business model for the league. Team owners are not expecting to make a profit in 2009 but plan at least to break even in the next few years.

Apart from the $1bn, ten-year deal for TV rights, split between the franchises and the IPL itself, sponsorship, advertising and gate receipts in some of the world’s largest stadiums could all be affected or even wiped out. Major sponsors for 2009 include Honda, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Vodafone and Kingfisher.

IPL sources said the schedules were being looked at to see how movement of security personnel could be overhauled and increased to placate the fears of international players and their national bodies. The rush to reorganise the timetable - involving 40 matches in eight locations – comes despite an initial refusal by the IPL’s chairman Lalit Modi to countenance any such changes, which were first suggested by senior Indian government officials.

This has done little to soothe the growing number of international stars who are voicing their concerns over going to India next month. The Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is scheduled to play for the Chennai Super Kings, said after escaping the Lahore attacks that he was reconsidering his participation in the IPL. "I don't know, we have to speak to them, see how the security is, make sure everything is right . . . not only the IPL, England, anywhere,” he told Australian radio.

"There's terrorist attacks everywhere. Nowhere will be safe anymore."

Daniel Vettori said that the Indian Government would have to reassure visiting players and teams that they would be safe if they came to the country. Tim May, chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, said he had written to the IPL as “an increasing number of players have expressed a desire for an independent level of comfort surrounding security arrangements re this Event.”

The IPL franchises are nervous because it is unclear exactly how the league’s finances – including players’ salaries – would be affected by a postponing or cancellation. Some teams are still looking for sponsors while others finalised deals in January. “Any cancellation will be disastrous,” an IPL official was quoted as saying in The Times of India today. “We are not even thinking about it.”

Shilpa Shetty and the Rajasthan Royals seem to be banking on the tournament going ahead. The promotional video for last year's champions features the Bollywood star singing on a float in a carnival-style parade interspersed with the outrageous hitting and stump-shattering bowling that makes the league such a draw.

Speaking to journalists, Shetty said that the cricket world had to “try to be positive… and not bow down to terrorism. The only thing the IPL can do is to beef up security.”

Raj Kundra, the Royals’ owner, was even more bullish. “The IPL will go on – sport will go on,” he said.

Shilpa shooting commercial for Rajasthan Royals

Though a new entrant to the IPL game, Shilpa Shetty is the first one to start doing what she can do best for her team, the Rajasthan Royals—shooting commercials.

Despite the cloud of uncertainties hanging over the IPL matches, an optimistic Shilpa along with director Ken Ghosh and choreographer Ahmed Khan stormed the City Palace to shoot the first commercial for the team.

Since the Royals were the champs of IPL T20 last year, their procession in the video was meant to be 'royal.' The sizzling music video had an evocative Rajasthani-folk number, Halla Bol composed by Anand Raj Anand.

Based on Halla Bol, the signature war cry theme of the team, around 100 artistes wearing the Rajasthan Royals uniform, a procession of five elephants, a chariot and some nagara players were ready at City Palace to shoot for the video.

Effortlessly dancing atop a chariot between the elephants and the artistes, Shilpa was all professional and perfection to the core as sister Shamita Shetty looked on.

Though Ken Ghosh had stopped making music videos after his feature directorial debut, Ishq Vishq, Shilpa and her partner Raj Kundra convinced him to make it the best music video ever for the Rajasthan Royals. Here's hoping the video brings luck to the Rajasthan Royals and makes it better than Shilpa's earlier item number, Dilwalon ka karar lootne, main aayi hoon UP Bihar lootne....

Police gear up for security during IPL matches in city

JAIPUR: The Lahore incident, in which six players of Sri Lankan team were shot at and an equal number of policemen lost their lives, seem to have woken up the city police. On Tuesday, officials, who thought they had got enough time for security arrangements for the eight IPL matches in Jaipur, have been thrown into action.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, it was decided to approach the organizers and discuss the security arrangements as soon as possible. The police, in a couple of days from now, will seek a detailed schedule of the teams visiting Jaipur, the hotels where they are supposed to stay along with their movements. The eight IPL matches, scheduled in Jaipur, also include the inaugural tie between the Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals on April 10.

However, for security at the SMS Stadium, the organizers will have to pay the stipulated security fee for the number of policemen they want to deploy. “Whatever happened in Lahore is indeed shocking. We are on high alert now and will soon hold meetings with organizers to discuss the security arrangements during the IPL matches,” said P K Singh, IG, Jaipur Range-1.

Top officers are busy studying and analyzing the terror attack on the Lankans. “The convoy was attacked in open when it was about to reach the stadium. So we are going to put special emphasis on the escorts while moving the teams out of the hotel and the stadium. The number of policemen who will escort the team will be increased considerably,” said a senior police officer.

During the IPL season last year, the controversy over the security fee arose with police seeking Rs 63 lakh from RCA for providing 1500 police personnel for nine matches. Citing that the amount was big, organizers were said to be of the view that 500 security personnel would be good enough and hence paid accordingly. The police received around Rs 3.25 lakh per match as security fee. The police had asked to pay Rs 1010 for deployment of each inspector rank officer, Rs 820 for Sub-Inspector, Rs 640 for head-constable and Rs 535 for constables.

Will ensure IPL venues are safe: Jayant Patil

Mumbai Security in the city is likely to be stepped up further in the wake of Tuesday’s attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan.

Although there is a likelihood of the IPL matches not kicking off as scheduled, police were also getting ready to provide security for the matches. Home Minister Jayant Patil said, “We make sure there is enough security where cricket matches are held and places of stay (of players and officials). Even this time, enough measures will be taken at IPL venues.”

Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor said elaborate security measures will be in place for the upcoming elections and the IPL matches. “Post 26/11, we have stepped up security in the city. With the elections and IPL due next month, we will be evaluating the kind of security to be deployed.”

Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said. “There is a possibility of two matches in Navi Mumbai stadium. We are yet to receive a formal confirmation,” he said.

“We have begun intelligence gathering and chalking out plans for deployment of personnel. Last year, for the IPL final, 1,500 personnel and 125 officers were deployed. At present, we do not have any plan to increase deployment. We will be consulting the Mumbai police in this regard,” said Wagh.

The DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai had hosted the two semi finals and the final of the first IPL season.

IPL should not be held during election time : Maria

Mumbai, Mar 4 (UNI) Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria today became the latest voice against staging of the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the elections in April and May this year.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function held at the Press Club here, Maria to a query said that he would rather like to see the IPL is not staged because of the security concerns.

The issue of staging the second edition of the IPL has come into serious doubts following the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore yesterday and with the general elections also being held at the same time, the pressure on the security agencies is expected to be tremendous.

Meanwhile, the D Y Patil stadium in Nerul in Navi Mumbai, where the Mumbai Indians home matches during the IPL are expected to be held, has gone ahead with upgrading the security system at the stadium.

Vijay Patil, the President of the D Y Patil Sports Association, said that they have installed an Axis IP (internet protocol) security system which is far superior to the normal cctv one and they are the first stadium to get such a security surveillance.

They got to test the system during the Dr DY Patil T20 Cup final between DY Patil Sports Association and Air India Delhi.

Speaking about the system Patil said ''a major security system is an absolute necessity. We have tied up with Axis Communications who have installed cctv coverage in a stadium in India for the first time. The spectators are monitored by a high digital camera network cameras. The images are sent to security agencies through internet.'' Vimal Vora, from the IT department of the DY Patil Group, said, ''The system deployed is far ahead of the normal cctv. We have used IP technology. Every camera records high quality images which will be important when it comes to scrutinisation. That's the core of the system.'' The stadium has nine main gates and two VIP gates. There is a digital camera at every gate. Also in the parking area, internal lift area, the generater room and high mast areas. The best part of the system was, according to Vora, the use of analytical software to monitor left-over objects. ''If someone left a bag, there is an alerting system deployed from which it will be known that the bag was left there purposely.'' When told about the system, Maria said that he was keen to see the system and they were thinking of installing the system for the security agencies in Mumbai.

Lahore attack changes security biz?

Sportsmen and women have been attacked in the past, but the terror attack such as the one on the Sri Lankan cricketers on Tuesday, is probably only the second direct one on players after the Munich massacre.

NDTV explains how this attack changes the business of security in a country where cricket is a religion.
Watching cricket will never be the same again with such attacks clearly indicating that it’s not just about the game anymore for terror has cast its shadow on cricket and the cricketers.

However, security companies claim there is nothing to fear and that they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety cover to the players as well as the fans.

Sources told NDTV that there has been a 25 per cent increase in both manpower investment and technology. Also, 30 to 40 security personnel dressed in plain clothes are deployed to keep vigil at the stadiums. There is now more focus on evacuation plan.
Deepak Monga, Deputy GM of Tops Security, one of the agencies working to provide security for the IPL, said, “In times like these it is necessary to have evacuation plans put in place and we are already working on it.”
So, while the home minister has asked for a postponement of IPL since sharing of security between IPL and elections will be a concern, the organisers are gearing up to secure stadiums and have the fans assured that there is nothing to worry about.
Lalit Modi, Commissioner of IPL, said, “In case of any disaster in stadiums, we will be able to evacuate it in seven minutes. That's the kind of arrangements we have put in place. We are going ahead with IPL, some dates will be changed based on election dates.”

But, well-planned attacks such as these cannot be ignored for they are ‘real’ and they could take place again unless there is an efficient disaster management plan that is put in place.

Lahore terror attack not a threat to IPL: Dalmiya

Former ICC and BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya on Tuesday condemned the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore but said there was no threat to the hosting of Indian Premier League matches.

"This is a cowardly act of the highest degree. It is a matter of concern and I strongly condemn it. I pray that the players injured recover fast," Dalmiya, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, told reporters here.

Recalling his tenure as the Board president when the cricket tour to Pakistan resumed, Dalmiya said, "We had to go by the security agencies report and drop a few venues at that time. I am sure measures will be taken so that the sport is not hit in the long run."

On the second edition of IPL, he said, "The Eden Gardens is 100 per cent secure. Security will be tightened."

Eden Gardens will host the first match in the second edition of IPL on April 11.

Asked whether the 2011 World Cup scheduled in the sub-continent could be a casualty, Dalmiya said, "It may affect the World Cup, nobody knows about it. There's a lot of time to go for the World Cup. We will see how to handle the situation in future."

Modi to continue as IPL chairman till 2013: Shashank

Mumbai (PTI): Lalit Modi's failure in his attempt to remain President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association would not affect his position in the Cricket Board and the Indian Premier League, BCCI Chief Shashank Manohar said on Sunday.

"The RCA elections have nothing to do with Modi continuing as the Vice President of the BCCI and as Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL," Manohar told PTI from Nagpur.

Modi lost an acrimonious election to Sanjay Dixit in the RCA elections by five votes, losing 13-18 in the race to become the new president in Jaipur. Modi was elected as Vice President of the BCCI for three years in 2008 and as Chairman of the IPL for five years and will continue in that post till 2013.

IPL should not be postponed

Author: Yusuf Tabatabai

Much as I am angered, scared and hurt following the Lahore attack, I believe IPL should not be postponed.

That is, except to juggle the dates to the extent they don't clash with polling date in the respective cities.

The reason for my stand is:

It is not possible to postpone the IPL, it can only be cancelled for the year 2009. The packed international schedule does not provide for any other window this year

The postponement might send wrong signals and could encourage the terrorists.

Cheerleaders for IPL matches

Vijay TV is holding a contest to select the cheerleaders for the IPL cricket tournament. The winners will be the cheerleaders for the Chennai Super Kings team. The judges for the show, cricketer Sadagopan Ramesh and actress/model Gayathri Jayaram will choose the winners from the 10 teams that are participating in the contest. Each team comprises of 7 members, which includes both boys as well as girls. The winners will be decided based on the motivation levels, innovative routines, whacky slogans and their ability to raise the energy levels of the players.

The Chennai 28 team S.P.B.Charan, Vijay, Ajay and Premji will be the special guests at the inaugural show. The show will go on air from March 6th at 10pm on Vijay TV. It will be hosted by VJs Ajay and Surya.

Yet another show on Vijay TV is the hunt for the junior team of the Chennai Super Kings. This show will commence on March 7th. The first schedule took place in Trichy and 80 children were short-listed. In the final competition a team of 11 players will be selected and they will get to watch the IPL cricket matches from the pavilion. The top three (batsman, bowler and all rounder) will get to watch their cricket stars at the nets.

State DGPs reject revised schedule

The IPL received a further blow after the state Director General of Police(DGPs) rejected the revised schedule, saying they wouldn't be able to provide adequate security for the games.

Earlier today the IPL sent a revised schedule to the home ministry.

The matches will still be held within the April 10 - May 24 window but the schedule has been tinkered to ensure that it leaves a minimum gap of 48 hours - six to seven days in some cases - before and after the election days at any venue.

"We are confident but there is still some way to go before we can be 100% sure," a senior member of the IPL's governing council said. "There are no specific meetings scheduled but discussions have already been initiated with the government at various levels."

The IPL council is prepared to negotiate and the governing council member also proposed an alternative plan. "We could have the tournament in two legs at some venues and, in one case, there is a clear possibility of wrapping up the matches before the election date [at that venue]," the official said.

In the worst case, the IPL could be cut down from 44 days to 30 days.

"We're just changing the dates around matches, around polling," Dhiraj Malhotra told Reuters. "Where do you postpone it to? There is a World Cup starting on the first of June, (with) the first warm up game," he said, referring to the Twenty20 World Cup in England from June 5-21.

Malhotra said security had been assessed in the past few weeks and that league officials would talk to players and national boards to allay safety fears. "Before this (the Lahore attack) happened we'd already decided on security," he said. "We've a security warden in India who has been here for the last one month roaming around these eight venues, meeting with the local authorities. "Once we shift the dates around the election, obviously we will get the local police and all. If the election is happening in Chennai it is possible to have a match in Mumbai. "Right now we are talking to the players, all the boards. I don't see it being a problem."

IPL to adjust schedule for Lok Sabha elections

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) will reschedule the matches that coincide with the Lok Sabha Elections.

The dates of the general elections were announced today and it is apparent that some of the matches will have to be rescheduled. "If a match clashes with the polling day in that city, then we will have to make a change," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan tells Indiantelevision.com.

While Indian voters will pick a new government over five phases between 16 April and 13 May, the second edition of the IPL kicks off on 10 April. The inaugural day of the IPL will, thus, remain unchanged.

An obvious match that will have to be rescheduled is that between Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore Royal Challengers in Kolkata on 13 May.

“We have always maintained that the tournament schedule was tentative as it was likely to clash with the polls. But more importantly, the IPL Season II window from 10 April to 24 May will remain unchanged,” IPL CEO Sundar Raman tells Indiantelevision.com.

Free every cricketer in the world for IPL: Shane Warne

Former Test spinner Shane Warne says cricket authorities should support the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of trying to copy it, so that "every player in the world" is free to play in it.

"Playing for your country has to be number one. But, if common sense prevailed, the IPL would run for four weeks in April, with a week either side when there was no international cricket. Every player in the world would be available," Warne said in comments published on Sunday.

"Instead of everyone trying to copy the IPL because it worked, they should support it and say, you know what, this is a great advertisement for this brand of cricket, worldwide," he told The Observer in an interview.

"Twenty-four million viewers watched the final. Now there aren't many sporting events where 24 million people watch it."

Warne, who captains the reigning IPL champions Rajasthan Royals, praised the IPL matches for their lack of what he called the "other rubbish" - such as fitness test and team meetings.

"The IPL is just pure, intense. You don't need all the other stuff. When I finished (with Test cricket), I had nothing else to prove. The enjoyment (wasn't there). I was whinging about a lot of little things.

"If you could just turn up the night before and play, then I'd still probably be playing. But there's too much other rubbish they carry on with these days, jump tests, fitness things, all this absolute crap.

"To me, cricket is a simple game. Keep it simple and just go out and play. None of these team meetings and dissecting players on computers," Warne added.

Some IPL Matches to be Rescheduled due to Polls

The two IPLs in India, i.e. the Indian Premier League and the Indian Political League will reportedly be clashing which is why there is now a requirement to reschedule some of the IPL matches. IPL tournament director Dheeraj Malhotra has said that the matches that clash will be rescheduled as per requirements.

It would seem that there are two IPLs in India; one if of course the Indian Premier League and has to do with one of India’s main religions, international cricket and the other IPL is the Indian Political League which is one of the other main religions. And come this April, it would seem that these two main religions of India; the two IPLs are going to clash. So according to the latest cricket news, it is now decided to reschedule certain matches which may be running concurrent to the Loksabha elections.

Earlier the police officials of Kolkata has expressed concern at the clashing of dates and said that the matches would have to be rescheduled. "We think the whole league table will be rescheduled because the election dates will clash with matches in several cities. If the IPL authorities do not reschedule it by themselves, we will ask them to do so," said a senior Kolkata Police officer. The reason given for this is the fact that there will be a requirement for a huge force to be deployed at the north and south Kolkata constituencies and as such security arrangements for the Indian Premier League match would not be able to be deployed.

For instance the Kolkata Knight Riders' home match against Bangalore Royal Challengers on May 13 falls on the same day the city goes to polls and will therefore be one to be rescheduled. According to Indian Premier League tournament director Dheeraj Malhotra, "There's no other way out. We have to reschedule the matches that are clashing with the LS polls. Not just in Kolkata, there are few more matches that are clashing with the poll dates. I'm now in the process of sorting them out. We will make an announcement in a day or two,” indicating that the fresh dates are still to be decided.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, responded by saying that rescheduling would not be a problem. "Rescheduling won't be a difficult proposition and I am sure the tournament committee will come out with a solution," he said.

Modi: IPL unaffected by attacks

Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi does not expect the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore to impact the second edition of the tournament.

The eight-team event is scheduled to begin on April 10 at nine venues across the country, and features major players from all the Test-playing countries except Pakistan - due to simmering diplomatic tensions following the Mumbai terror attacks last November.

"The IPL will go ahead as planned and I don't visualise any impact on it," Modi told NDTV.

"There are a few dates which will change due to the general elections and a few of the games will be shifted around. But we will get under way on April 10."

Modi claimed the IPL security team had visualised every conceivable mode of attack and prepared for them.

"We have already put in place several measures following the Mumbai terror attacks," Modi added.

"We have already taken into account these kinds of attacks in our plans.

"There is always a remote chance that it may happen and therefore the agency which we have engaged have based their plans on several unrealistic but possible incidents happening in the future.

"We are fully prepared and we are going to be making sure that we are on top of security issues on a day-to-day basis.

"The Indian government is also very serious about security, so for us it's a very big issue."

IPL to adjust schedule for Lok Sabha elections

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) will reschedule the matches that coincide with the Lok Sabha Elections.

The dates of the general elections were announced today and it is apparent that some of the matches will have to be rescheduled. "If a match clashes with the polling day in that city, then we will have to make a change," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan tells Indiantelevision.com

While Indian voters will pick a new government over five phases between 16 April and 13 May, the second edition of the IPL kicks off on 10 April. The inaugural day of the IPL will, thus, remain unchanged.

An obvious match that will have to be rescheduled is that between Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore Royal Challengers in Kolkata on 13 May.

“We have always maintained that the tournament schedule was tentative as it was likely to clash with the polls. But more importantly, the IPL Season II window from 10 April to 24 May will remain unchanged,” IPL CEO Sundar Raman tells Indiantelevision.com.

Modi's RCA loss should not reflect on IPL: Chauhan

New Delhi (PTI): Former India opener Chetan Chauhan on Monday said he was surprised at the ouster of Lalit Modi as the Rajasthan Cricket Association President but felt it should not have a bearing on his working as the IPL Chairman and Commissioner.

"I am surprised at his defeat," Chauhan said on the sidelines of the launch of Delhi Daredevils' member club here. Chetan felt there were forces in the Association which were acting against Modi and that cost him dear.

"From the news that were flowing in, it was evident that there were forces within the Association which were acting against him.

"I don't think it should have a bearing on his IPL post. The IPL is his baby and it is not stable yet, it is just its second year and so I feel he should continue in his position," Chauhan said.

A former Delhi coach, Chauhan feels with a breed of new players Delhi Daredevils will certainly be among the contenders for this year's title.

"The Daredevils have done reasonably well in the last edition and with new players like David Warner, Paul Collingwood, under its fold I am sure they will do much better this year," he said.

Modi assures tight security for IPL

New Delhi: Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi today assured there is no threat to the conduct of the second edition of IPL in the wake of the terror attack in Pakistan, saying strict and tight security measures would be in place to ensure cricketers' safety.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers, including Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis and Thilan Samaraweera, were injured when 12 masked gunmen attacked the security personnel escorting them to the Gaddafi stadium where the second Test was going on.

However, Modi said there is no threat to the IPL and the Indian government and Indian board is well prepared.

"India is a safe country, yes we had our share of attacks in the past but we are going to ensure that as far as security of the players are concerned, we will leave no stones unturned and going to be extremely strict and tight in our security measures," Modi said.

"We have taken into account possibilities of this type of situation arising, there is a security plan. There is a remote chance that this may happen in any sports but we are prepared for any eventualities.

"We are making sure that we are on top of it on a day to day basis. The Indian government is serious about security and so are the other governments, so for us it is a major issue," he added.