1 30
1 14
1 3
1 9
1 4
1 5
1 6
1 7
1 8
1 10
1 13
Last updated: 21:01 IST, Tuesday, February 09, 2010
What's new
  
 
IPL host country, schedule to be out by Monday evening: Modi
 Print | Comments: Read | Post                            A+  A-

The new host country of the Indian Premier League and the schedule of its 59 Twenty20 matches will be out by Monday evening, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said on Sunday.

The league will be held either in South Africa or England after security apprehensions owing to a clash of dates with the general elections forced the organisers to take the April 10-May 24 event out of India.

"We will have the final schedule and which country will host the IPL by tomorrow evening. We have multiple schedules, multiple venues, multiple countries available to us. Now we just need to re-schedule the matches. Each team will have a home in another country, another state and another stadium," Modi told reporters after meeting the eight franchise owners.

Modi insisted that the "made-for-television event" would be held taking into account the prime-time slot in India.

"I guarantee that the first match will start at 4.00 pm India time and the second match will be held 8.00 pm India time, at prime time for all the fans to be able to watch them," he said.

Modi refused to blame any one for the IPL's shift of venue and insisted that the tournament will be back in the country next year.

"I don't blame anybody for anything. Let's not politicise the issue," he said.

"It will continue to be the Indian Premier League, unfortunately we cannot play it in India because of election issues this year and it will be back in India next year. We have to ensure continuity of the tournament. There is no other time for the league to be held this year", Modi said.

"So, it is important that the league goes forward. It is a domestic tournament being held at an international venue," he explained.

Contrary to media speculation, Modi said having a truncated IPL was never an option.

"It cannot be a truncated tournament. It doesn't make sense to have truncated tournament. We understand the sensitivity regarding elections in India and taking into account that sensitivity, we have decided to move the tournament overseas," he said.

Modi also rubbished accusations that the organisers' desperation to hold the event was prompted by financial concerns.

"It's not about money. We are going to be spending a lot more in holding the IPL out of the country. We will probably make no profit but that is not the concern", he said.

"Loss is not an issue, so don't bring it up. We are not concerned about profit. Our issue is to make sure that all fans get to watch the highest quality of cricket wherever it needs to be played," Modi asserted.

Modi said Pakistani players, who had been barred from coming to India for IPL by their government, will not be able to play the league due to rules which bar changes in squads. "IPL announced the squads 30 days in advance. No changes are allowed in that. Unfortunately, no Pakistani player will play this year," he said.

Post comments
Your name: *
Email: *
Comments: *
Security Code: *

(Note: If you cannot read the numbers and letters in the above image, reload the page to generate a new one.)

*Mandatory Fields
Photo Gallery
Games
Follow us on twitter@CricketNDTV
Fun Zone
Play Spot the Ball game online for a chance to win one of our great prizes!
Men in Blue
Indian captain MS Dhoni's college might allow him to appear for his forthcoming B.Com exams at a city of his choice.
Have Your Say
Forum
Blogs
Poll
Q.Which South African bowler can rein in Virender Sehwag?
Dale Steyn
Morne Morkel
Paul Harris
Others
 
Suggest a poll question:
 
Name
Poll
 
 
 
© Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2010. All rights reserved.