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Suspense is over..South Africa to host IPL


SachDan

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Decision on IPL venue likely by Tuesday night The IPL chairman will travel to South Africa and England in an effort to finalise an overseas venue for this year's edition of the T20 competition. More... Decision on IPL venue likely by Tuesday night Agencies Posted: Mar 24, 2009 at 0918 hrs IST Mumbai: A decision whether England or South Africa will host the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition will be taken by Tuesday night, IPL Chairman Lalit Modi said. "We need to take a decision by tomorrow, one way or the other and we will have a decision by tomorrow night," Modi said shortly before leaving for Johannesburg. The chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will travel to South Africa and England in an effort to finalise an overseas venue for this year's edition of the Twenty20 competition. The Indian cricket board announced on Sunday that it would stage next month's event abroad after failing to get government clearance for security cover because the tournament dates clashed with the country's general elections. "I'll be visiting both England and South Africa in the next 24 hours," IPL chief Lalit Modi said. Modi was quoted as saying in a TV channel that wet weather and packed hotel rooms around the London marathon on April 26 were concerns in England. "One overwhelming factor in England is the weather for us," Modi told the channel. "England have very easy connectivity from eight or nine Indian cities. There are a lot of South Asian fans. "The other big issue is England is already preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup and all grounds are ready. "(But) there is 70 percent chance that rain can disrupt games in the month of May." The Indian board said the second edition would have to be played on its original dates between April 10 and May 24 due to the cramped international calendar and that that they were in discussions with interested boards willing to host the event. SECOND SCHEDULE However, Modi mentioned the possibility of a second schedule with an April 17 start as the Lord's ground would be unavailable on April 10. Modi said the venue could be finalised by Tuesday night after he concluded his meeting with England cricket authorities. England is to host the Twenty20 World Cup from June 5. India are the defending champions. "It would make sense in having the event in England as it would help our cricketers prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup," India's bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad told Indian media. The decision to move the event overseas for lack of security has been the subject of a national debate in the cricket-crazy nation, with some calling it politically motivated. The country's two biggest political parties have traded barbs over IPL's decision, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it a "national shame". Home Minister P Chidambaram hit back on Monday, saying: "It appears that IPL is more than a game. It is a shrewd combination of sport and business. There is no reason to add politics to this combination." Indian fans and cricketers were disheartened by the shift. "It is disappointing that the IPL has been moved out of India. We will certainly miss playing in front of our supporters. It won't be the same," Sachin Tendulkar was quoted by media.

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Durban would be perfect to host IPL - Docrat Cassim Docrat, the chief executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union, has reacted enthusiastically to the prospect of South Africa hosting the second edition of the Twenty20 Indian Professional League. More...

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^^ RR, those are the six venues news channels are reporting atm who knows may be no home venues for CSK and DD :giggle:
yeah i think its better if they give up on the home and away concept for this edition of IPL. Better play on major grounds that will attract some crowds atleast than playing in some remote corner,as i imagine the Indian population would be quite scarce in such places.
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