Ahmedabad and V'patnam to host IPL matches

In an extended base to the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament, the organisers have confirmed Ahmedabad and Vishakapatnam as two of the new venues to host the second edition of the tournament.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi while addressing a press conference in Mumbai said: “Tournament will now move to new venues of Ahmedabad and Vishakapatnam. And we are still trying to get a confirmation from Dharamsala to host matches."

Among other cities which are in the list of probable venues are Ahmedabad, Indore, Rajkot, Baroda and Cuttack. Modi, however, confirmed that the opening and closing ceremonies would be held in DY Patil stadium, Mumbai.

Talking about the security after the Lahore attack, he said focus would be on beefing up security in all venues. “We are spending 10 per cent more this year on security than what was spent last year," he added.

ANI adds:

Unveiling the new IPL logo, Modi said the IPL has contracted revenue of Rs 10,970 crore this year.

The rescheduling follows a request from the Union Home Ministry and State Governments to avoid match dates clashing with dates set for the general elections.

Earlier, Modi had said that the dates for the IPL matches could not be changed. He also said that there was no question of the IPL moving to a foreign country.

Various media reports had claimed that the UAE and some Western countries were ready to host the cash-rich Twenty20 event.