IPL to be played outside India

The second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be held in India. At the BCCI working committee meeting today in Mumbai, a decision was taken to stage the tournament outside the country "because of the extraordinary situation existing this year."

"Under the given circumstances, the BCCI is not in a position to either play a truncated IPL or to cancel the second edition of the IPL. 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," the board stated in a media release.

An IPL official said England and South Africa have emerged as the frontrunners to host the event which runs from April 10- May 24. While Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, said South Africa were ready to host the tournament if needed, an ECB spokesman told Cricinfo that the board was aware of the situation, and that it would be making a statement in due course. David Collier, the ECB chief executive, is currently in Guyana ahead of the second ODI against West Indies.

Discussions between the BCCI and the respective boards will get underway and a decision is likely in two to three days.

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, who was present at the working committee meeting said there will be no changes made to the tournament's format or the schedule. "All 59 games will happen as per schedule, with the first game to be played at 4:00 pm IST and the second game beginning at 8:00 pm IST," he said.

He assured that that the IPL would not cut any corners despite hosting the event outside the country. He refused to dwell on the revenue sharing agreement with the prospective foreign board and pointed out the tournament's focus was to provide the best possible entertainment for the Indian fan.

Manohar also said the BCCI officials would be having a discussion with the eight franchise owners and believed they would not have any objection. "We will hold discussions with the owners. I don't think the franchises would oppose us," he said.

"We are happy the IPL is happening", Nita Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians said. Vijay Mallya, who owns the Bangalore Royal Challengers, said he was happy the tournament was on and was rest assured about the franchise "We have been assured the rights and interests of all franchises will be protected," Mallya said.