26 Mar 2009

IPL venue switch doesn't go down well in India

7:18 am on 26 March 2009

Yesterday's decision by the Indian Premier League to give South Africa the hosting rights for cricket's showpiece hasn't gone down at all well with the India media and the country's top players.

Organisers took the dramatic step of shifting the event abroad after Indian authorities could not guarantee security because of a clash with national elections.

The IPL and South Africa now face the mammoth task of organising the eight-team tournament, probably played over six venues, in just over three weeks with the start scheduled for April 18.

The event is likely to be shortened from six weeks to five and include double-headers.

The decision to move the IPL also caused fresh worries for next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, although organisers insist they are not worried about security.