IPL dates to change

The Indian Premier League will go ahead but many fixtures will need to be re-scheduled, according to the tournament director.

The IPL has been thrown into the security spotlight following the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore, and Indian authorities will be at full stretch with the tournament clashing with the national elections.

The league is set to take place between April 10 and May 24 but with the polls going on during April 16 to May 13 the security forces will not be able to provide adequate cover for both.

The rescheduling would ensure no matches are held in cities when elections are being held. New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are the venues for matches.

“We’re just changing the dates around matches, around polling,” Dhiraj Malhotra said.

“Where do you postpone it to? There is a (Twenty20) World Cup starting on the first of June, (with) the first warm up game.

“Before this (the Lahore attack) happened we’d already decided on security.

“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.”

Credits: SkySports