IPL Fails To Agree Schedule With Indian Government

Indian Premier League officials have failed to agree a revised playing schedule with the Indian government with the latter refusing to grant the tournament the required security clearance.

The IPL is scheduled to be held from 10th April to 24th May, while national elections take place across the country between 16th April and 13th May – a scenario that has led to the home ministry claiming to be short of resources due to the clash of dates.

Security is high on the agenda after the attack on Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan earlier this month.

The Lahore attacks have forced IPL organisers to undertake a detailed reassessment of the security arrangements and they have promised to take charge of all player security arrangements for the six-week event.

The two parties have been in talks over a revised schedule to take into account the country’s general election.

‘The home ministry have expressed their concerns which they explained in detail,’ said BCCI secretary N Srinivasan.

‘We have also explained our difficulties and expressed our own concerns and the importance of the tournament to all the various stakeholders.’

Last week, chief executive officer for the IPL Sindar Rahman moved to calm fears that the competition could be cancelled due to the security issues.

‘The home ministry has said that the IPL is on but minor changes are required to the schedule. We’ve been working closely with the law enforcement authority and will come up with a revised schedule.’