IPL in South Africa from April 18

[abhishek2434]

http://media1.santabanta.com/full/cricket/south%20africa/sou0a.jpg
South Africa was confirmed as host of the second edition of the Indian Premier League next month.

"We are very happy to confirm that South Africa will host the 2009 DLF Indian Premier League tournament," IPL chairman Lalit Modi said in a statement following a meeting of the event's organisers and Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola.

England was also considered a possible alternative for the competition, which was moved out of India as its dates clashed with those of the country's general elections.

The tournament will start on April 18.

"We would like to thank Cricket South Africa very much for the support they have given us over the past few days, which has helped us to come to this decision.

"The BCCI and the Indian Premier League wish to thank both the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) for their generous offers to host Season II of the DLF Indian Premier League. A lot of factors were considered by us while evaluating the final choice for the host venue. However, in the final analysis I think it was the South African weather, which prevailed and tilted the balance in favour of the Rainbow Nation.

"I would like to once again reaffirm the IPL's commitment to its loyal fans stating that matches will be broadcast in India at 4 pm and 8 pm as promised," Modi added.

The DLF Indian Premier League will now work closely with Cricket South Africa to ensure that all the necessary logistics and technicalities are completed well in time before the league kicks-off on April 18.

Season II of the DLF Indian Premier League will feature the eight Franchises doing battle over 36 days in South Africa and each franchise will continue to play on a home and away basis with seven matches at home.

The top four franchises in the league will contest the semi-finals and the victorious semi-finalists will meet in the grand final all over one weekend.

The league will showcase 59 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with 177 hours of live "family entertainment", which will also be viewed by a significant international audience.

All matches will be at 4 pm and 8 pm IST to coincide with prime time for television audiences in India.

What do you think about this?

[storm1]

After a fascinating test series by SA Vs AUS , another breathtaking series in SA, wow thats great.
Always enjoy watching cricket on SA, because they provide sporting pitch. Also seen standard bank pro T20 in SA, that was also exciting. All matches will be at 4 pm and 8 pm IST---so there is no problem at all. It's a right decision of selecting SA instead of England.

[abi_arc12feb]

its really not a good news for the millions of fans in INDIA.Lalit Modi and BCCI must rethink again and make some fixture which must not collide with the election dates or they can scheduled the game after elections within a short period of time but they must conduct the game in INDIA............moreover this version games needs full support from the spectators to lightning up the enviroment of the game being held outside INDIA its quite been questionable to the people whether they got the same charm watching the games on television with narrowly filled up stadiums???????????

[cineraja]

South africa to host IPL - too good

[rhlsrd]

It is good that the IPL is going to be there, this year. I would have loved to see IPL organised in India, but as the security issues and the availability of international and national players for such an event, I am happy to see it happening in South Africa. In the end, Cricket should be the winner.

[sadtaz09]

very bad......it is a cricket of asia...and we feel proud that in asia we can make this type of big cricket tournament...but now all the credits will go to SA....and the people of india will miss lots of good entertaining match on their pitch

[abhishek2434]

I am also very sorry for my country. We expected a lot from this IPL to be held here . But alas the decision is against us. While looking at the comments from you guys, its true we always prefer England to South Africa. India played a lot on England grounds and even lot of players have played for county matches of England states. But these days, it is very high probability of rain in England, even though its very cold in SA, taking risk to England may be very risky to them. So the preferred South Africa a better option.

Hope we play as good as we play in home .

[fakeer225]

well we want cricket cricket. it should be organized in india. well let see how this game would be played in South africa

[curtisjackson]

Lets call this event as SAPL - South African Premier League

instead of IPL

I really got frustated when hearing that the IPL is going to be held in SouthAfrica........

it is Indian Premier League.......the team names are the local city names and the people love to see the HOME and AWAY matches between all the Local teams......it creates a great amount of entertainment in India........

I m sure that there wouldn't be that much entertainment in this second event rather than the first event.......in the means of CROWD......

[abhishek2434]

yes buddy... IPL should be best in India.. Even if it is in India, I would go to watch a match... its very sad to see the venue in SA..........:( :(