Yorkshire chief reveals IPL fears

The IPL are looking at four possible options - including England - for staging the IPL after it was confirmed the tournament would have to be moved away from India because of a clash with the general elections.

"I think it's risky in the sense of causing problems for our own domestic campaign" Regan said.

He added: "At the end of the day the domestic cricket season has to come first - we've got to be on top of our own fixtures, satisfy our own sponsors and broadcasters and make sure our own players get the cricket they need over the course of the season.

"That has got to take priority and it depends on what the requirement would be from the IPL - how many matches, how many venues they would be looking for, whether one stadium would stage only one or two games during the whole tournament or if they are looking for a block period of time when a ground would have to be available.

"If it's the latter then I just don't think its workable."

Sri Lankan fans shocked over shifting IPL out of India

Colombo, March 22 The decision by the Indian cricket board Sunday to shift the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament to another country outside Asia has evoked shock and dismay among Sri Lankan fans who fear the move would deprive them of watching the game live on TV due to time difference.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Sunday that the second edition of the Twenty20 IPL will be played outside the country because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament as it clashes with the general elections in the country.

'We know IPL organisers were struggling to finalise the time-table for the IPL tournament, but we never expected it would be moved out of India. We will surely not be able to watch most of the matches on TV due to time difference,' N. Jeevendran, a company executive, told IANS.

He said hosting it outside Asia would badly impact the enthusiasm in the game. He said the electric atmosphere that was generated in the Indian stadiums would now be a far cry.

Nilantha Bandara, director of a private company, questioned whether the move was the direct outcome of the ongoing electoral politics in India.

'Having elections and hosting a cricket tournament are two different things. We are well aware of the security issues involved in cricket nowadays, but shifting it completely out of India, is difficult to reckon with,' he said.

'I am sure the people of India, almost all of whom are cricket fans, would be more interested in cricket than elections. One should not be at the expense of the other,' Nilantha Bandara said.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardane, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Pervez Mahroof, Thilakaratne Dishan and Dilhara Fernando are some of the key players who have signed three-year contracts with the IPL.

Sri Lanka's 23-year-old new spin sensation, Ajantha Mendis, has also signed up with the Kolkata Knight Riders for three years.

A retired company manager S. Nallathamby said his 14-year-old son Sanjeevan, who is a fan of Chennai Supper Kings, was planning to watch at least a couple of IPL matches in Chennai during his April holiday.

'My son was visibly boasting around with his school friends about his proposed trip to Chennai to watch the IPL matches. I do not know how to console him now,' he said.

'This is the only occasion where we see our players teaming up with various international cricket stars. Last time we saw our Jayasuriya opening with India's Tendulkar. What a treat to watch? Taking IPL away from India is anti-climax, to say the least,' said Nallathamby, who too is a cricket fan.

Lalu's humorous take on shifting IPL matches (Political Prattle)

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The inimitable Lalu Prasad was at his humorous best yet again Sunday when he said the Indian cricketers would get an opportunity to play in different countries if the IPL matches are held abroad.

He told reporters, in his famous Bihari Hindi: 'My son also plays cricket and expects to play for the IPL. If he doesn't get a chance to play, he will at least have the opportunity to serve water to the players.'

The journos went into peels of laughter while the rustic Bihar veteran, as usual, made his remarks with a dead-pan face.

IPL host race between England and South Africa

New direction: IPL commissioner Lalit Modi (right) and teamowners Priety Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan Photo: AP

Champion: Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals won last year's inagural IPL

The Board for Control of Cricket in India have been forced to shift the tournament’s second edition overseas due to security concerns. The IPL’s schedule clashes with India’s general elections, and the Delhi government has refused to guarantee player security.

It is understood BCCI officials had considered England, South Africa and the UAE as potential hosts for the lucrative 45-day tournament, which is scheduled to start on April 10.

But the Dilawar Mani, president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, says the chances of the Gulf state hosting the IPL are "non-existent."

Pakistan and Australia are due to play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, all of which fall during the scheduled IPL season. And Mani said: "Dubai and Abu Dhabi are committed to the Pakistan-Australia series so there's no question of any other international event coming in before that. The IPL requires multiple games and the stadiums at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah would be totally inadequate as they have 59 games."

Giles Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has already been in contact with Indian officials over the feasibility of the tournament being staged here.

“We have a very good relationship with the BCCI if they need any help on matters," said Clarke. "We normally talk to them a great deal and we would be delighted to help again."

An ECB statement confirmed that "exploratory statements" have already been held between English and Indian officials. "The ECB, at the request of the BCCI/IPL is examining the feasibility of hosting the 2009 IPL in England and Wales. This request has come to the ECB because of the impact of the timing of the national election in India on the ability to stage the IPL in India.

"The IPL is scheduled to be played between April 10 and May 24, 2009 and officials from both boards have held exploratory discussions to relocate the tournament to England and Wales. Further meetings will be held during the forthcoming week."

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has already drawn up a revised match schedule for the relocated tournament. He still expects the tournament to follow its original calendar, and insists early-season conditions in England would not prevent the tournament being staged here.

"I think [the English season] starts on April 7 or 8," said Modi. "The teams will need to prepare themselves in terms of clothing but we have already told them to get ready for all possibilities.

"It is warmer in South Africa but I don't think you should be looking at weather as an issue. In India, we play cricket in November, December, January when it is also very, very cold."

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola has confirmed his board’s willingness to host the IPL and said he expects to meet with Indian officials.

"South Africa were officially approached today by the IPL officials, asking us whether we can host the event," Majola said.

"We are looking at their requirements to see whether we can fulfil them. As I understand, we are one of the parties that they have approached, but for now we can say that we are ready to host the IPL. However, we expect to meet the Indian officials soon to understand the situation better."

The UAE, home of the International Cricket Council, is another option, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi now possessing international-class stadiums.

Speaking about the decision to move the tournament from India, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said: “It is a matter of great regret that, in the prevailing atmosphere, where the government is expressing concern for providing security to the IPL matches, the BCCI is left with no other option but to conduct the Indian Premier League in another country."

Should the ECB stage the IPL it would signal a remarkable turnaround in relations between the two boards.

Clarke and chief executive David Collier have repeatedly clashed with BCCI officials over a number of issues including the participation of English players in the IPL.

The desire to establish a counterbalance to India’s increasing domination of the world game was one of the reasons behind the ECB’s disastrous relationship with Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire now the subject of a multi-billion dollar fraud investigation.

Relations improved late last year, however, when England chose to return to India to complete a two-Test series following the deadly Mumbai terror attacks.

India to stage IPL abroad over security issues

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Indian cricket board will stage the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament abroad this year due to security issues, the country's cricket chief said Sunday.

"Because the government... are not in a position to provide security, we were forced to take the decision to move the event outside of India," Indian cricket board (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar told a news conference.

"We're having discussions with other boards who have shown their willingness," he added.

Cricket authorities in South Africa and England confirmed on Sunday they had been asked to look into hosting the event.

The BCCI had failed to get government clearance for security cover despite revising the match dates three times because the tournament clashes with the country's general election, to be held between April 16 and May 13.

The IPL will be played on its original dates, between April 10 and May 24, and is scheduled to return to India next season, league commissioner Lalit Modi said.

Modi also told Sky Sports News that four possible venues were being considered to host the tournament.

"Hopefully I will have everything wrapped up in the next 24 hours," he added.

The South African cricket board said it had received a request from the BCCI to be a possible host.

"We received an official approach this morning to be one of several options they are considering to host the tournament outside India," Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said in a statement.

South Africa will also stage the Champions Trophy one-day competition beginning in September.

The England and Wales Cricket Board later released a similar statement, saying that at the request of the BCCI and the IPL it was "examining the feasibility of hosting the 2009 IPL in England and Wales."

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Indian officials said the huge financial implications and a tight international calendar had forced their hand. The World Twenty20 begins in England in early June.

"Under the given circumstances, there is no other period for the conduct of IPL matches," the BCCI said in a statement and apologised to the cricket-crazy Indian fans for not being in a position to host the event at home this year.

"There are many stakeholders apart from the BCCI, the players, the franchise owners, media partners, team sponsors, venues sponsors, apart from the cricket loving public at large.

"The experience of the first IPL season has shown that apart from providing employment to a large number of people at the various venues, IPL has also contributed close to one billion rupees ($20 million) to the exchequer."

Security concerns have dominated the build-up to the lucrative eight-team event, involving many big-name international players, after an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore earlier this month.

The BCCI failed to secure approval from the government, who said it would be difficult to spare security forces as they would be deployed for the polls.

The country remains tense after bomb blasts killed 166 people in the financial hub of Mumbai last November.

IPL officials set to leave for England

Mumbai: Four IPL officials, including commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi, are set to leave for England on Monday, sources said.

"Modi, Sundar Raman (IPL CEO), Dheeraj Malhotra (IPL tournament director) and one more person are going to London tomorrow," they said.

The IPL officials are expected to hold discussions with officials of the England and the Wales Cricket Board for holding IPL's second edition in England following the Cricket Board's decision on Sunday to hold the high-profile Twenty20 tournament overseas.

England and South Africa are being touted as the likely venues for the cash-rich event which was shifted outside India following the non-clearance of its schedule by the Government.

The IPL will be held from April 10 to May 24 and Modi has announced that the host country and the full schedule will be declared by Monday evening.

No politics behind decision to shift IPL tourney: Congress

New Delhi (PTI): The IPL's sudden decision to shift the lucrative T-20 cricket tournament overseas saw the BJP attack the UPA government holding it responsible for sending a "wrong signal abroad" while the Congress said the move was only guided by security issues and there was no politics.

The BJP asked, is the country so unsecure that it cannot hold a cricket tournament and whether it was becoming unprotected like Pakistan.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi too waded into the IPL row saying it was a "national shame" that the second edition of the Indian Premier League(IPL) had to be pushed out of the country.

Mr. Modi offered to hold all IPL matches in his state and provide tight security cover. "It is a shame that a powerful nation like India can't secure the IPL," the BJP stalwart said challenging the UPA government on the security issue.

Holding the Congress-led UPA government responsible for the BCCI's decision, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the Centre's "non-cooperation" will send wrong signals to international community before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"Has India become so unsecured that a domestic tournament has to go abroad? The whole country is disturbed with the non-cooperation by the government, which will send wrong signals about India's security condition," Mr. Jaitley said.

"We used to hear about security threats to sporting events in Pakistan, but now this is happening in India. This will surely give wrong signals," he emphasised.

Congress leader Veerappa Moily said there was absolutely no politics behind the decision after state governments of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan told the organisers that it would be difficult to provide security due to the General elections. "It is a question of security arrangements which have to be made by each of the state governments," Mr. Moily said.

Now, IPL goes international

The second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will no longer be held in India. Even as the announcement left the fans back home disappointed, the League has yet to decide on a final venue – the choice, as of now, is a toss-up between England and South Africa – and will make its international destination known by Monday evening.

The move translates into huge commercial implications for the team owners, sponsors and programmers. “We will spend much more money and may not be able to make profits. But our priority is to get the Indian fans the tournament,” said IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. After being a huge hit last year, IPL 2009 will only be an only-TV event for Indian audiences. The timings of the matches would remain untouched, so that Indian audiences can watch live telecast of the matches at 4 pm and 8 pm Indian standard time.

Shifting of the IPL venue would mean added costs to the franchisers as they would have to move their teams to a different country now. “The beneficiary is always the host country. In a situation like this sponsorships will get diluted and costs will rise,” said Latika Khaneja of Collage Sports Management.

While bigger brands may remain unaffected by a shift in venue, the same cannot be said of smaller sponsors. Said Globosport chief executive officer Anirban Das Blah: “We could see some of the smaller sponsors, who have invested between Rs 30-40 lakh, withdraw their sponsorships as the cost of activating their product in a foreign environment will mean additional and heavier investment. They’ll be affected tremendously. Their investment in IPL could have a diminishing value.”

Most sponsors are waiting for an official announcement to be made before deciding their strategies. DLF, the title sponsor of the event, said that they have got the greatest mileage from the event even without being the biggest contributor. “We have no reason to renegotiate our deal unless the organisers want to,” said Rajiv Talwar, executive director, DLF. However, he agreed that the excitement around the event would take a beating if it was not held in India. Said he, “We now need to see how the event can be televised, the condition of the stadia and what kind of crowds the game will draw.”

The owners, however, remain upbeat. Vijay Mallya, owner of Royal Challengers, praised the organisers for living up to the commitment of organising the IPL and keeping the tournament going. Mumbai Indians’ franchisee Neeta Ambani said, “We’d host it wherever the organisers decide to take us, as long as Indians get to watch.”

IPL knocked out of India; England could play host

The cricket board has bowled a googly. The Indian Premier League will be played outside India. Barely two weeks before the high profile tournament was to begin, South Africa and England are being considered possible venues.

The billion dollar baby that is the IPL is prepared to incur any costs to make sure the event goes ahead as per the original dates and original schedule of 59 games.

"We are not concerned whether we make a profit or loss, our issue is to make sure that all our fans and the lovers of cricket get to watch the finest level of cricket," says Lalit Modi, chairman & commissioner, IPL.

The team owners who will be most inconvenienced by the logistics were united in their support for the IPL's decision.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, said: "As team owners, we have decided to stick by each other and see this through because then the tournament does not stop. Of course we will miss the life and the buzz of India. But elections will fill up for that buzz. Next year we shall comeback.

"Elections are bigger and we have to respect the needs of the government. But we are from the entertainment field, BCCI is from sports so that is important that sports and enter go on as well. This is an attempt to resolve the problem and no to create one."

So, with 19 days to go for the tournament and a toss up between South Africa and England as the possible venues, England could have the edge because the 20-20 world cup starts immediately after the IPL gets over.

South Africa confirms BCCI approched it to host IPL

Durban, March 22 (IANS) Cricket South Africa (CSA) Sunday confirmed that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approached them to host the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“We received an official approach this morning to be one of several options they are considering to host the tournament outside India,” CSA CEO Gerald Majola said in a statement.

“We do not know what the other options are and it is not for us to comment on that,” he said.

“At this stage we are looking forward to holding discussions with IPL officials to discuss the proposal in detail.”

“It is a huge compliment to CSA’s organisational skills, facilities and infrastructure that we are being asked to host another major international event,” he added.

After days of speculation about the second edition of the IPL, the BCCI Sunday decided to shift April 10-May 24 tournament because of clash of dates with general elections in the country.

England is the other likely venue.

IPL issue sends out message India is unsafe: Narendra Modi

Ahmedabad, March 22: Gujarat CM Narendra Modi on Sunday said that UPA government's failure to provide security for Indian Premier League (IPL), will send a message to the world that India is "unsafe".

"Reputation of India as a safe country in the world has been shattered today by the attitude adopted by the Central Government on the security issues of IPL," Modi said in a statement.

"It has sent a direct signal that Indian Government is bogged down by the terrorists' threats. It will also send the message that India is an unsafe country," he said.

"The decision of the UPA government lacks farsightedness," Modi said, adding that now the hosting of Commonwealth Games in 2010 will also come under clouds.

Saying that crores of cricket lovers in the country were disappointed due to the attitude of the UPA government on the IPL issue, Modi said, "If they cannot provide security for 11 players, how will they be able to protect 111 crore people of India".

The Chief Minister said the IPL development has also raised question marks on all future sporting events to be held in the country.

Will the decision to shift the IPL out of India hurt the country's image?

With the general elections and the Indian Premier League clashing and the government refusing to provide para-military forces, the IPL finally decided to hold the second edition of the IPL outside India rather than canceling the event.

Do you think that the government should have made every effort to try and keep the multi-million dollar event in the country or do you think it was an genuine concern on their part they were trying to keep the best interests of the country first. On the part of the IPL couldn't they have opted for a truncated tournament within the country itself instead of having to shift the entire event out.

Will this move send out a wrong message to other countries who may think that India is a dangerous country that is unable to provide adequate security to foreign players and will this hurt our chances of hosting bigger events like the Commonwealth games and the World Cup in 2011?

Hotel, travel industry regret missing IPL

New Delhi: A disappointed tourism and hotel industry on Sunday said the popular IPL cricket tournament going out of India was a “shame” for the country, as the crisis-ridden hospitality sector missed an opportunity of gaining from the cricket carnival.

While luxury hotels in 12 cities hosting 59 matches during the 45-day tournament did not expect many cricket fans from overseas, they would have benefited from bookings of players and officials.

Each time a match takes place, a contingent of about 200 - players, officials, managers, cheer-leaders and the media -- would check in at different hotels, an official said.

“It’s a shame to the country ... As far as the tourism industry is concerned..., yes, it would have been beneficial had it been held in the country, considering that the sector is facing the heat of the downturn,” Assocham Tourism Committee chairman and head of STIC Travel Group Subhash Goel said.

Oberoi Group director (Corporate Communication) Ketaki Narain said, “Definitely we were expecting higher occupancy during the (IPL-II) season.”

However, she did not see much difference to the industry’s fortunes in the long run. Hit by the global business downturn, the hotel industry has seen a marked decline in the room occupancy rate this summer. For the Oberoi group, the occupancy has come down to 60-65% this year from 85-90% a year ago.

Each of 12 cities on the IPL tentative chart was to host 2-7 matches. Chief executive of ITC’s Hotels Division Nakul Anand also said that the BCCI’s decision to take the IPL out of the country would have a severe impact on the hotel industry, besides other sectors. “If last year’s memorable event is any indication, certainly a large number of business associates, including hotels, would face a severe impact if the tournament moves out,” Anand said.

Oriental Insurance to renegotiate insurance cover for IPL

New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) State-owned Oriental Insurance Company Ltd today said it will renegotiate the insurance cover for IPL matches with the organisers of the 20:20 cricket tournament.

"We have to talk to re-insurance companies for the value of insurance cover for the IPL matches," M Ramadoss, CMD of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, said.

Insurance companies distribute the risk on large insurance covers by going in for re-insurance.

According to an official involved in the deal, the firm was to provide insurance cover for the IPL matches in India at a premium of about Rs 500 crore excluding the ones for injuries of the players. He said, "What the cover will be now we do not know." Concerned at the security of the cricket teams, the government today shifted the IPL to another country amid speculation that England or South Africa would be the venue for the second edition of the high-profile event.

Sony-IPL talks fail to reach out-of-court settlement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcaster Sony have failed to reach an out-of-court settlement over the telecast of Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI had terminated the contract with Sony last week.

“We had agreed on various commercial terms, but if we agree to a non-terminable contract, we cannot terminate the arrangement even in case of a serious breach. No one can accept that,” IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi told cricinfo.com.

The matter is currently being heard by the Bombay High Court.

The BCCI had terminated the contract on Saturday last week, claiming that the broadcaster had repeatedly violated integrity of telecast by prematurely cutting to breaks and inserting commercials during a live match, replays and other on-field actions.

Rohit Gupta, president of network sales at Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd (MSM), refused to comment on the development. But MSM, which holds the IPL contract under the Sony umbrella, was apparently prepared to compensate the IPL for further violations of contract, if any, but the league did not agree, the website reported.

Multi Screen, BCCI's IPL row nears end

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The legal dispute between Multi Screen Media (MSM, earlier Sony Entertainment) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
is learnt to be close to resolution, but a three-pronged race comprising MSM, an NDTV-led consortium and ESPN Star Sports for bagging the broadcast rights for the IPL in India is heading for a photo finish.

According to at least two persons familiar with the situation, MSM has once again emerged as the front-runner for securing the lucrative India rights and is set to sign on the dotted line with WSG Mauritius, the new global broadcast rights holder for the T20 tournament.

World Sports Group SouthAsia CEO Venu Nair declined to comment on this. “We want to license out the TV rights for India to a broadcaster for the entire nine-year period. This, we believe, will help in developing and promoting the league on a year-round basis,” he said. A final decision is expected in the next one or two days.

Last year, BCCI had sold the global multi-media rights to WSG for $918 million and an additional promotional spend of $108 million for a 10-year period. These included rights for TV, radio, internet and mobile. WSG had, in turn, sold the rights for India to Sony Entertainment for five years.

The fresh deal inked by WSG Mauritius with BCCI on March 15 is estimated to have been struck at $1.2-1.5 billion, increasing the valuation of the IPL property by about 40%. “After the earlier deal was terminated, the valuation of the broadcast rights was renegotiated, since last year IPL was an untested property.

BCCI asked WSG for a higher valuation, which WSG agreed to. So, WSG Mauritius, a WSG group entity, bought the global rights for nine years from BCCI at an almost 40% higher valuation,” said an official involved with the negotiations.

MSM had dragged BCCI to Bombay High Court last weekend, seeking injunction over the cricket board attempting to negotiate a fresh contract for IPL’s broadcast rights.

A person familiar with the situation said it’s unlikely that MSM would drop its legal case unless the two parties arrive at some kind of settlement. This person added that it is possible that MSM had offered a better deal to BCCI and WSG. But this could not be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that ESPN-Star has opened talks with WSG Mauritius for global broadcast rights, apart from India. In a new development, WSG will also be allowed to sell Direct-To-Home broadcast rights in India.

In addition to MSM and ESPN Star, the NDTV consortium is the third player in the fray. This consists of NDTV, Malaysian broadcaster Astro and PE fund Providence Capital. The final outcome remains in the balance according to a number of officials ET spoke to.

Vijay Mallya raises IPL war-cry; KP to lead the Royal Challenge

Putting behind the disastrous IPL-2008 campaign, owner of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, Vijay Mallya on Saturday, named former England captain Kevin Pietersen to lead his franchisee’s challenge for the 2009 season.

Addressing a press-conference in Bangalore, Mallya announced his decision.

While naming Pietersen as the captain, Mallya also announced that South African all-rounder Jacques would be taking over the reins from the Englishmen, as the latter would be available for just 2 weeks.

The liquor baron also revealed said that Rahul Dravid, who had captained his side in 2008, was aware of the change in guard.

The liquor baron also revealed said that Rahul Dravid, who had captained his side in 2008, was aware of the change in guard.

Dravid, who was sarcastically referred to as Test player in the slam bang version of the game last year, will not play for the entire tournament as his wife is expecting their child.

"We have a wealth of talent and expertise in our team and have six international captains to choose from," Mallya said.

"The decision on captaincy was taken by keeping into account three considerations. One, player`s availability during each phase of the tournament; two, flexibility in selection of playing squad during the phases; and three, the fact that Dravid will not be available due to personal reasons for the entire tournament,"

Mallya exuded confidence in his team’s ability to give a good account of themselves, unlike in the inaugural season last year when they had barely managed to avoid the wooden spoon.

Stressing that his team would not be unduly hampered by Zaheer Khan’s absence (the pace spearhead moved to Mumbai Indians), Mallya vouched for his team’s firepower to overcome his loss.

“We have Praveen Kumar, Nathan Brackan, , Kallis himself, there is Anil Kumble.” Mallya said.

“Last year we struggled in our batting department. With induction of Pietersen, Jesse (Ryder), and Robin Uthappa, I think we have taken necessary measures.”

“Now we have a decent batting and a potent bowling attack,” Mallya said.

Meanwhile, Mallya said that by inducting local youngsters into the squad, he had reiterated his commitment to promotion of local talent, which, as he said, ‘was why the IPL was conceived.’

Even as Bangalore Royal Challengers has raised its IPL war-cry, the fate of the second edition of the Twenty20 extravaganza stays in limbo in lieu of General Elections scheduled during the same period across the country.

The BCCI’s Working committee would be holding an emergency meet on Sunday after IPL commissioner Lalit Modi had refuted claims of a truncated IPL.

Pietersen to lead RCB

Bangalore: England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore in the forthcoming Indian Premier League.

“Kevin Pietersenwill lead Royal Challengers in the IPL and it was a decision that we took after a lot of discussions and when he leaves to fulfill his England commitments, Jacques Kallis will lead the team,” said Vijay Mallya, owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore at a press conferencehere late on Saturday.

Mallya said that the leadership-change was done in consultation with Rahul Dravid, who led the team last year.

“We were in consultation with Dravid and he had personal issues.

“He and his wife are expecting their child and no one knows when a baby is born and Rahul hinted at his likely unavailability.

“Hence there was also the need for Kallis to step in as Pietersen’s replacement in the second half of the IPL season,” Mallya said.

Mallya said that his team which was weak in the batting department last year has gained with the inclusion of Jesse Ryder, Robin Uthappa and other explosive batsmen.

“I believe we are championship contenders and I hope to get the cup to Bangalore,” Mallya said besides lauding Pietersen as well as new coach Ray Jennings’ roles within the team.

Meanwhile, RCB CEO Brijesh Patel said that Grant Morgan and Eric Simons will join the team as batting and bowling coaches respectively, while earlier bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has moved to Chennai Super Kings.

On the issue of the IPL schedule, Mallya said: “There is a BCCI meeting on Sunday and we hope there will be clarity after that.

“There are too many stake holders involved and I don’t think the IPL will be cancelled. Security is the issue here and I don’t think there is any politics involved here.” — Principal Correspondent

HP to market handloom and handicraft products during IPL

Shimla (PTI): Himachal Pradesh government would explore possibilities to market its handloom and handicraft products during IPL cricket matches, which are proposed to be held at Dharamsala.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the State would for the first time get an opportunity to hold a big event like the IPL matches, which could be rightly availed for marketing its handicraft and handloom products to the cricket lovers.

Mr. Dhumal, who was chairing a meeting of board of directors of the State Handicraft and Handlooms Corporation here, gave a direction to this effect to the management of the body, an official release said.

A large number of retail outlets of souvenirs and other gift items would be set up in and around the cricket stadium premises during the proposed mega event, he said. Four IPL matches are proposed at Himachal Pradesh cricket stadium at Dharamsala.

Mr. Dhumal said the State was making efforts to include its handloom and handicraft products into the list of souvenirs to be given to players and visitors during the forthcoming Commonwealth games at New Delhi.

Elections score over IPL for Chidambaram

MUMBAI: Home Minister P Chidambaram said today elections were "unquestionably" the first priority for the nation, putting in doubt the fate of the second edition of the multi-million dollar Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to Chidambaram, organisers would have to be responsible for redrawing the Twenty20 tournament calendar as the states would, anyhow, not be able to compromise on the security for the elections.

In an interview with Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN, Chidambaram said, "I can't exempt any state government from giving to the Election Commission the forces which they have promised. I have also made it clear that I cannot spare any central para-military forces."

When quizzed whether he would like the IPL to pull out on their own, Chidambaram added, "They are patriotic people. I think they will take a call."

Meanwhile, the BCCI is set to hold an emergency working committee meeting in Mumbai on Sunday to take a final decision on the hosting of the game during elections.

The meeting would be held to assess and then take a final decision by Sunday noon. "We have 42 different schedules prepared for the game. Everything will be discussed and finalised at the meeting tomorrow," IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said.

Avoiding polling dates is not enough for IPL: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI, March 21: Adding to the uncertainty over the fate of the second edition of the Indian Premier League, Union home minister Mr P Chidambaram indicated today that it may not be enough that the IPL has avoided matches on poll days in its revised schedule to get it the home ministry's clearance.
Mr Chidambaram said the IPL organisers will also have to take into account the election dates of not only the states where matches are being held, but also of neighbouring states. “You see, if election is taking place in a neighbouring state or just across the state border... if we have an IPL match in the state, there could be problems,” he said in an interview on CNN-IBN.
He said he was still awaiting the states' response to the league's revised schedule.
Elections were “unquestionably” the first priority, the minister maintained. “I cannot exempt any state government from giving to the Election Commission forces which they promised,” he said. He said he would not spare any Central paramilitary forces.
India remained a safe place to conduct sporting events but security can not be guaranteed for the period of elections, the home minister said.
On whether the IPL should simply be called off if the dates failed to work out, Mr Chidambaram said, “I think the organisers are responsible people. I think they are patriotic Indians. I think they will take a call.”

Modi draws flak from Rajasthan Govt

Rajasthan Government on Thursday lambasted Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi for dropping Jaipur as a venue in the revised schedule of the Twenty20 tournament and said the people of the state will never forgive him for this.

Shanti Dhariwal, the state's Home Minister, blamed Modi for acting against the state because he recently lost the election in the Rajasthan Cricket Association.

"Modi has pulled IPL out of Jaipur. We wanted only two out of six dates rescheduled," Dhariwal said.

"He never negotiated with us, never discussed with us. In election one party wins and the other loses like in matches but that doesn't mean you leave the state and walk away with matches. The people of Rajasthan will never forgive him for this," he fumed.

The IPL organisers have dropped Jaipur alongwith Delhi and Visakhapatnam as a venue in the revised schedule submitted to the Home Ministry which is yet to give the green signal to the high-profile event.

IPL Chief Executive Officer Sundar Raman dismissed any ulterior motive on the part of IPL to drop Jaipur and said it was a very complicated procedure.

Dhariwal accuses Modi of acting vengefully

JAIPUR: A war of words has apparently broken out between the Rajasthan government and the Indian Premier League (IPL) with claims and counter-claims coming up every now and then. Couple of days after reports of Jaipur being dropped from the list of venues where IPL matches are to be held as per the revised schedule, state home minister Shanti Dhariwal hit out at IPL chief Lalit Modi on Thursday.

Accusing him of "acting against the state" as he lost the Rajasthan Cricket Association election recently, the minister claimed, "Modi pulled IPL matches out of Jaipur on his own. He never discussed it with us. The people of Rajasthan will never forgive him for this. In an election, one party wins and the other loses, like in matches. But that doesn't mean you leave the state and walk away with matches."

Modi, however, sought to clarify that the state government had asked the Centre for six companies of para-military forces for the security arrangements during the matches but the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressed its inability to provide the same. And this is precisely the reason behind Jaipur being dropped from the list, Modi claimed.

Further clarifying IPL's stand, its CEO Sundar Raman said, "It would be unfair to call it a deliberate effort on the part of IPL for changes in the schedule. To set the record straight Jaipur was one of the first venues in showing interest in hosting IPL and the initial schedule that IPL had submitted to MHA had five matches to be held in Jaipur. The state government had, however, a rider -- requirement of Central forces. The MHA had made it clear that no Central forces will be available. The schedule has since undergone multiple changes and we are operating with constraints."

Refuting it, however, Dhariwal claimed that the state government had all the intentions of hosting the matches and was waiting for the IPL management to come with a revised set of dates when "the MHA asked the organizers to discuss the matter with us".

"We wanted only two out of six dates rescheduled, we couldn't have hosted matches between May 4-10," Dhariwal said and added, "They (IPL organizers) are just making excuses. If they were willing to host the matches, they should have shown interest and come forward to discuss the matter with us."

Asked if the government would have assured security without the six companies of para-military forces it had asked for, Dhariwal said, "This issue of our being able to provide security would arise only after we knew what the revised dates were. We would have decided accordingly."

On this, Modi said, "I had a word with S N Thanvi (state home secretary) regarding it." Reacting to the minister's statement, he said, "I have no idea where he (Dhariwal) is coming in the picture."

Countering Modi's reply the home minister said that a two-minute call to the home secretary wasn't enough to discuss a matter that involves hosting such a mega event. "We haven't even received a small note in writing from them," he said adding that even the franchisees after an initial meeting didn't approach them for hosting talks regarding the matches whereas "the chief minister too assured them of all support".

Speaking to the media in New Delhi, chief minister Ashok Gehlot too maintained that hosting IPL matches wasn't an issue with the state government and that the dates could have been rescheduled.

IPL denies blames of dropping Jaipur to host games

Jaipur: Indian Premiere League (IPL) Commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi said he was a victim of politics when he lost the Rajasthan cricket elections earlier this month and now the state government that allegedly plotted his downfall is accusing Modi of doing the same, playing politics to deny Jaipur the chance to host IPL matches.

Rajasthan Home Minister, Shanti Dhariwal said, “The way they've pulled out the matches from Jaipur, it puts a question mark on their intention to hold them in Jaipur in the first place. It's an arbitrary decision for which people will not forgive Modi. The people of Rajasthan are feeling cheated. We had only asked for two dates out of six to be rescheduled. Rajasthan has been given biased treatment.”

For Modi, it’s a case of another battle front opening as he scrambles desperately to get green signal for the tournament to go ahead. On Wednesday, he had washed his hands of the decision to remove Jaipur from the schedule.

Clearly, while the Rajasthan Government smells the stink of a political conspiracy, Modi is on strong wicket on this one.

The IPL denied there was any sinister motivation behind denying Jaipur the chance to host games.

IPL Chief Executive Officer Sundar Raman Sundar Raman said, “ Local law enforcement authorities were supposed to give security without any riders. Paramilitary forces deployment was rejected.”

Rajasthan Govt. allegations on IPL baseless: Modi

Mumbai (PTI) Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi on Saturday rubbished Rajasthan government's allegations that he deliberately shifted IPL matches out of the state, saying the accusations are baseless.

Reacting to Rajasthan Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal's allegations, Modi said Dhatiwal was misinformed about reasons for shifting IPL matches from Jaipur.

Modi said five IPL matches were to be held in Jaipur as per the first schedule, but the state government approved it with a rider that central paramilitary forces were needed to give sufficient security which was not possible as per the decision taken by the Union Home Ministry.

"The confirmation from the Rajasthan government had a rider - which advised the IPL that it would not be able to provide adequate security and would require support of the central paramilitary forces," Modi said.

"The Honourable Minister has not been given all the facts of the case by his staff and is thus misinformed," Modi added.

Moving of IPL out of India is shameful: Jaitley

New Delhi, March 22: BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley on Sunday lashed out at the ruling UPA govt. for its failure to provide security for the lucrative Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

Talking to media persons, Jaitley said that the govt. should be ashamed for failing to keep the lucrative tournament in the country.

“UPA should be ashamed that the IPL can’t be held in India”, said Jaitley.

“Moving the tournament out off India will not only have an adverse impact on the tourism sector but will also put a question mark on the country’s ability to hold major sporting events in future”, Jaitley went on to add.

Referring to recent events in Pakistan, the senior BJP leader also said that India can not be compared to its neighbour when talking of security.

“The IPL brand should not be diluted due to the incompetence off the UPA govt.”, Jailtley added.

Earlier, Congress spokesman Veerappa Moily had said that security consideration was the sole reason for shifting of the League.

"Absolutely no politics. It is a question of security arrangements which have to be made by each of the state governments. State to state, the governments may have their own perception. It has nothing to do with any political party," Moily said.

BJP, UPA engage in war of words over IPL

New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) IPL's sudden decision to shift the lucrative T-20 cricket tournament overseas saw the BJP attack the UPA government holding it responsible for sending a "wrong signal abroad" while the Congress said the move was only guided by security issues and there was no politics.

The BJP asked is the country so unsecured that it cannot hold a cricket tournament and whether it was becoming unprotected like Pakistan.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi too waded into the IPL row saying it was a "national shame" that the second edition of the Indian Premier League(IPL) had to be pushed out of the country.

Modi offered to hold all IPL matches in his state and provide tight security cover. "It is a shame that a powerful nation like India can't secure the IPL," the BJP stalwart said challenging the UPA government on the security issue.

Holding the Congress-led UPA government responsible for the BCCI's decision, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the Centre's "non-cooperation" will send wrong signals to international community before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"Has India become so unsecured that a domestic tournament has to go abroad? The whole country is disturbed with the non-cooperation by the government, which will send wrong signals about India's security condition," Jaitley said.

"We used to hear about security threats to sporting events in Pakistan, but now this is happening in India. This will surely give wrong signals," he emphasised.

Congress leader Veerappa Moily said there was absolutely no politics behind the decision after state governments of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan told the organisers that it would be difficult to provide security due to the General elections. "It is a question of security arrangements which have to be made by each of the state governments," Moily said.

Jaitley blasts government over IPL shift

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday criticised the Indian government for its failure to provide security to the Indian Premier League (IPL), forcing the organisers to move the tournament out of the country. ( Watch )

BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters that the decision to shift the second edition of the hugely popular Twenty20 tournament would put India on par with countries like Pakistan that are deemed unsafe for international sporting events.

"The government must seriously reconsider ... and adopt a more responsible stand in national interests," said Jaitley, who is also president of the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA). "India is safe, that must be the stand of the government."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sunday met in Mumbai and decided to shift the IPL out of the country after Indian authorities said they would not be able to provide security as the tournament clashes with the April-May general elections.

Jaitley pointed out that even in the first edition of the IPL last year, the matches in Bangalore took place when Karanataka was holding elections to pick a new state assembly.

"If you could do it in one city, you could do it in eight (cities)," he said.

The BJP leader called the failure to ensure security to the tournament, which was originally set to take place between April 10 and May 24, as "a great admission of failure by the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government".

"This is an issue beyond cricket," he insisted. "Whether a few matches are held or not is a secondary issue."

Jaitley also said that the IPL, which attracts the best of talent from the cricketing world, was the first global sporting brand India had set up.

"This is the first brand India had developed, and we must not dilute this brand in the second year itself."

The decision to play IPL away from India would signal that the country was unsafe for sports -- and even tourism.

"A domestic tournament has also to be shifted to foreign soil? It was always said of Pakistan that that country is unsafe. This non-cooperation of the central government is clubbing India (with Pakistan)."

BJP surprised, others happy IPL not clashing with polls

New Delhi (IANS): The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday expressed surprise over the Indian Premier League (IPL) being shifted outside the country, and said this will give a wrong signal about the country's security establishment.

India's cricket board on Sunday announced that the hugely popular Twenty20 IPL will be played outside the country because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament as it clashes with general elections.

"This will send a wrong signal to the outside world that India cannot handle the security of cricket matches, which are such a huge public draw," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told IANS.

"The government, given the wherewithal at its disposal, should be able to do multi-tasking," he said about the high security needed both for the elections and the IPL matches.

Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said: "It is a private tournament organised by private organisers, it is their decision (to take out the tournament)."

"How can I comment on whether their decision is correct or not?" Mrs. Natarajan said to IANS.

An official close to the developments felt that the government did not wish the IPL to take place simultaneously with the elections. "The IPL suggested three different schedules over the last two weeks to the states, but it did not move them at all," he said, requesting anonymity.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad denied the Congress had deliberately scuttled the IPL.

On the IPL matches being organised outside India, Mr. Lalu Prasad said: "Our country has advanced, our cricket has also advanced. If our players play and excel on pitches of different countries, then it will be an achievement."

Convener of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav said the government should have firmly told the IPL organisers much earlier that it would divert no security forces during the election.

"At a time when the destiny of one billion Indians is being decided, there is nothing more important than the security of voters," he said.

"After all, the country is holding general elections in five phases due to security concerns for voters," he told reporters here.

Asked if the country would not be exposed to allegations that it was unable to provide security cover for holding IPL matches here, he said: "What others say is not important. As a country, we have to see our priorities. And there could be nothing more important than the security of voters to ensure free and fair elections."

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D.Raja said: "We are in the election process, the home ministry tried to explain to the organisers whether the IPL management was aware of the elections or not. I never knew that the IPL leadership would be so apolitical."

He added: "The IPL is doing this for profit and when you do something for profit, you cannot expect a country to change its elections. They cannot take the country for granted. People in India have feelings for cricket, but they (IPL managers) should not exploit these feelings for profit."

India loses IPL, Modi and BJP rule Cong out

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Central government of failing to retain Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country and damaging India’s reputation.

“This decision of the government sitting in Delhi is a huge loss to the country. This will ruin India’s image before the world,” Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi told CNN-IBN.

He was speaking after the Indian cricket board announced on Sunday that the IPL would be moved abroad because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament, which coincides with General Elections.

“The government’s decision means India is not a safe place for cricket and it cannot guarantee security. I want to ask the Central government if it can’t ensure the security of 11 cricketers then how can it protect 111 crore Indians,” he said.

Modi, a senior BJP leader, claimed his government had told IPL organisers that the state was capable of providing them security during elections.

The Chief Minister alleged the Central government’s inability to provide security to IPL proved its failure against terrorism. “We should not bow before terrorism. Today the world considers Pakistan to be an unsafe country. The Indian government has declared us as unsafe and a country like Pakistan,” he claimed.

BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley, a cricket administrator, told reporters in Delhi that the decision to shift the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament would put India on par with countries like Pakistan that are deemed unsafe for international sporting events.

"The government must seriously reconsider ... and adopt a more responsible stand in national interests," said Jaitley, who is also president of the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA). "India is safe, that must be the stand of the government."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met in Mumbai on Sunday and decided to shift the second edition of IPL out of the country after authorities said they would not be able to provide security as the tournament clashes with the April-May general elections.

The BCCI took the decision after days of speculation about the tournament that was originally set to take place April 10 to May 23 before the Lok Sabha elections were announced in April-May

Franchise owners back decision to move IPL abroad

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners have backed the decision to hold the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament abroad.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)-owner Shah Rukh Khan called it a "great" decision while Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani said even though shifting the IPL was a last resort, they were assured they will not suffer any losses.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at an emergency meeting on Sunday decided to hold the Twenty20 tournament outside the country because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament as it clashes with general elections.

"It is a great decision. We will follow what the IPL and BCCI decide. All the franchise owners have decided to stick together and see it through," Shah Rukh said after a meeting of the eight team owners with IPL chairman Lalit Modi Sunday.

"The elections are important for the country. It's a bigger issue than IPL. We have tried to resolve the problem. IPL officials will have to do a lot more work. We all have been working non-stop for past three days. The picture will be clear in next five to seven days," he said.

"However, the buzz which is in India will not be there, but the election buzz will be there," Shah Rukh said.

The Bollywood superstar said the sponsors should not have any problem falling in line. "The tournament is going to be televised so the sponsors will come along."

Shah Rukh, who last year travelled extensively with the team, said he will take time out this year too. "I will try to be there for as many matches as possible."

Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani said IPL has assured the franchisees that they will not suffer any losses if the Twenty20 tournament is held outside the country.

"Shifting IPL out of India was the last resort for us but we did not want to stop IPL from taking place this year. IPL has assured us that there won't be any losses," Nita, wife of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, said.

"We are happy as long as IPL takes place and the Indian people get to watch the matches at the Indian time," she said.

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta, too, welcomed the decision.

"Elections are number one priority and we had to take it into consideration. The timings will be the same so the Indian viewers will not suffer."

Mixed reaction to staging of IPL outside India

New Delhi (PTI): The Cricket Board's decision to shift the Indian Premier League to another country on Sunday evoked a mixed reaction from former cricketers, some of whom felt that the entire issue was "messed up" by the BCCI. While some former players justified the move to shift the IPL overseas, former captain Kapil Dev and legendary spinner Erapalli Prasanna were among those who were critical of the decision.

Prasanna said the BCCI should have consulted the government before chalking out their schedule to avert such a move. "If I were BCCI President I would have consulted the government of India much before the decision on Lok Sabha election dates. Having not done that I would have conceded to the government to cancel the IPL because the tournament has the tag of India since the title is 'Indian Premier League'.

The BCCI has messed up the whole scenario," he told PTI. "Now by shifting the tournament outside the country how is it going to benefit or help the cricketers or the cricket-loving public of the country who will now be deprived of watching live action if cricket is the primary concern of the Board officials and franchisee owners.

1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev felt the decision should have been taken after taking into account players' views but their opinion was not asked by the BCCI. "My thinking is entirely different. I would first take the players into confidence and take their concerns first before deciding to shift any tournament that belonged to India," Kapil said insisting that he was speaking only in capacity of a former cricketer.

"The tournament was intended to be held in India, therefore the administrators of the game should have first talked to the players before venturing to shift the tournament.

"It is BCCI's apathy that players are not allowed to give their opinion on this matter," said Kapil, who is also the Chairman of the rebel Indian Cricket League's Executive Committee.

Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani, however, had a different view as he felt the show must go on. "I think they did not want to take any risk due to tensions in the country. Ultimately, the show must go on and that has been decided by the IPL," he said.

"It would be a good opportunity for the lads who have not gone out of the country to play. But there will be some disadvantage for the teams also as they would not get the desired crowd support," he said drawing some positive out of the decision.

Another former player Madan Lal said the tournament was ought to be held in India.

"It should be held in India. It is an Indian Premier League after all. In shifting factors like weather and grounds would play a big role," Lal said. Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar justified the decision, saying was dictated by safety concerns for all, especially the players.

"The important thing is the safety of the players. If the government has apprehensions about the safety of the players when polls are held it's advisable to move it out," Vengsarkar said.

Vengsarkar also said that the buck stopped with the government in case the safety was compromised. "If something happens (during the holding of the IPL in India as was planned) the government will be blamed," he said.

Former cricketer Atul Wassan felt it was expected since the organisers did not have many options left with them. "There were not many options, so it was kind of expected. The tournament had to happen because there was no window after that time.

"Anyway, around 90-95 per cent of the audience watch it on televisions and only 5-10 per cent get to go to the stadiums so it's good in a way that at least fans will be able to watch it at least on TV," he said.

Another former cricketer Chandu Borde emphathised with the BCCI, saying the news would be a relief for those involved with the IPL. "I am quite sure the BCCI and IPL officials must have taken the decision after taking into account a lot of factors and after a lot of deliberations," he said.

"Considering the present circumstances the players will be quite relieved to play outside India. They will be able to play freely without any security tensions. Some of the staging state associations must also be relieved by the decision as they will not now have to deal with the security concerns.

"If the tournament is to be held in England there would not be that much crowd as in India last year and weather may play truant also. But under the present circumstances I appreciate the BCCI and the IPL for deciding to continue the game though outside India instead of postponing the tournament," he added.

IPL breaks heart of fans across the country

DELHI/MUMBAI/CHANDIGARH: Cricket fans all over the country were left disappointed with the Indian cricket board's decision to shift the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL) out of the country.

Cricket fans felt the shift would take the sheen off the tournament, especially for the youngsters, who were looking forward to the cricketing extravaganza after their annual school and board exams.

"Today's decision has come as a shock. In all my excitement, I had even applied for my leave at work! Now of course it will be a different story," said Sourav Dey, a software engineer working in Delhi.

"After last year's adrenaline pumping experience of watching the Twenty20 matches at the Eden Gardens with all my friends, this year I was hoping for the same."

Another disappointed fan, Dev Sharma, said: "Watching the Delhi Daredevils play in Essex or Manchester will not carry the same emotion as watching them play at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium."

Even for those who planned to watch the matches on TV, the decision to shift the IPL out of the country left a bitter taste.

"This time I don't think the same excitement will prevail. With all the matches happening outside, the reaction of the Indian crowd gives a different flavour. We will miss IPL at home," said Delhiite Rasika Jain.

A lot of fans were planning to watch the event live for the first time this year.

"Last year I was appearing for my Class 12 exams. Then I had decided that come what may, this time I will definitely watch the live action - after all nothing compares to watching a match live amid a cheering crowd! But I will have to follow on TV now."

Cricketer Rakesh Jolly, who had represented North zone in Ranji Trophy, called it a big embarrassment for the Indian cricket board.

"They had to change the venue because of security concerns. IPL should understand that it is not possible to change the poll dates but they could easily alter the schedule of the tournament."

Former India captain Kapil Dev's coach D.P Azad, however, said it will not make much difference as Indians are crazy about cricket.

"I do not think that the change in venue will impact the second edition of IPL. There are many cricket enthusiasts who will certainly follow the game, irrespective of wherever happens," Azad said.

Cricket lover Dukool Pandya, however, preferred to see the positives.

"IPL abroad will ensure 100 percent participation from the players from all countries, including those who were hesitant to come," said the Juhu resident.

Some fans feel the IPL has become a victim of Indian politics.

"I guess it was just not meant to be. I fail to understand how incompetent can our government be that they can't ensure the security of just a handful of players! It's a shame," said Nitin Shah, a Borivli-based builder.

Shakshi Misra, a big IPL fan, went on to ask: "Why keep calling it the Indian Premier League now that it will not be held in India? And the worse thing is that politicians are now making it a poll issue! Let the game be, please!".