IPL Moves to South Africa!

After visiting both England and South Africa, Lalit Modi, The Commissioner of IPL has decided that South Africa is the best option for second season of IPL.

Though so many players expressed shock and disappointed over the move, IPL committee is clear that they did not have any other option for ensuring the continuity of the event.

After the decision to move out of India was taken, two alternate venues were considered--England and South Africa.

Though both the countries had their own positives and negatives, finally South Africa edged out England and was chosen as the venue for the 2nd season of IPL.

The decision was made after a meeting between the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola, in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The matches will commence on April 18, which is one week later than the original schedule.

Chidambaram reacts to IPL Move

The home minister reacts to the IPL move. He said, the government was not informed about the move and the IPL has decided on their own about moving the event out of the country.

BCCI said, the government was uncooperative and did not provide security. Though Lalit Modi said that he did not like to politize the issue, it is becoming a political issue and both NDA and UPA are blaming each other.

The government said that they were not consulted on the move.

Narendra Modi said that Gujarath can provide security for all of the IPL matches. He also said that it is a shame on the country and the government for not able to provide the security. The congress has hit back with a question of riot in Gujarath. They have asked whether that was not a shame.

They can hit with words each other, but ultimately the people who have selected them to do service for the country and the people in it are the sufferers. The time they spend in cursing each other, if spent on improvements and welfare schemes, India would be number one country!

IPL is Doubtful, not yet confirmed!

The the revised schedule was submitted to the government by the IPL committee, most of the states are hesitant about agreeing to the event. They are not comfortable with the dates as they are not sure about the security.

Though the commissioner of IPL, Lalit Modi has categorically said that IPL is responsible for security, the state cheifs are still hesitant about providing security.

Only Delhi has confirmed as the venue and the rest of the venues are yet to confirm.

Though cricket is important, I think it is the country first and every individiual has the right to know and in fact mandatory to know who is going to lead the country. So, election should come first and not the sport.

IPL Responsible for Security - Modi!

Teh IPL Commissioner has committed that the security for the second seasion of the IPL is the responsibility of IPL. With too many things going on in the cricketing world--terrorist attack in Mumbai during England's tour to India, terrorist attack against the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan, created panic everywhere.

The cricket players like Flintoff, Oram are worried about the security.

Security is paramount for us. Players, officials and fans are all very important. Players' security was the responsibility of the teams last year but this time we have gone venue by venue managing the security centrally. Of course, we will coordinate with the teams," Modi said.

"From the minute a (foreign) player lands here to the minute he leaves India. From the minute an Indian players enters the hotel to the minute he leaves, we will be managing the security. It's a cumbersome template that was used during the India-England Test series last year.’’

"That was a rigorous plan put in place, shared with the government and the international board, in that case the England and Wales Cricket Board," he added.

"Security (budget) will be 10 times more than last year," he said.

He further added that "no foreign player has so far contacted the IPL to say that he is apprehensive. They have never been uncomfortable about coming here. India is not Pakistan, we are a safe country."

India is not same as Pakistan, Don't Compare - Lalit Modi!

The chairman of Indian Premier League, the next famous T20 to the world cup, said that the cricketing world should not compare India and Pakistan. The situations are different.

"We are a very safe country. You are sitting here, I am sitting here, we all are sitting here. We are not Pakistan. I really see no concern," he said to reporters on Tuesday.

"Let's not liken the situation in another country to be the same as our country," added Modi. He further said, "after the Mumbai blasts, we still had games in Chennai (and Mohali)."

Though few players like Kevin from England, Jacob Oram from New Zealand, and few South African players are hesitant to join the IPL season 2, Lalit Modi is still confident that the event will happen with proper security.