IPL to stay in Chennai: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no plans to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches out of Chennai, despite threats by Tamil activists to disrupt games involving Sri Lankan players.

“As of now, the matches will be held in Chennai. We have no plans to shift them out,” BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said. IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said the governing council was happy with the security situation in Chennai. “As of now the matches are not being moved out. But we are monitoring the situation,” Shukla said. Eight of the nine IPL franchises consist of Sri Lankan players. Chennai, home to the Super Kings, is scheduled to host 10 IPL matches this season.

Both Shetty and Shukla said they haven’t received any communication from Sri Lanka Cricket Council, raising concerns over the security of their players of the IPL. “So far, we have no news of Sri Lankan players pulling out of the IPL. I don’t think it will happen,” Shukla said. However, the mood among Chennaites seems to be different. Following a snap poll conducted in the city on Sunday, student bodies decided not to allow IPL matches to take place in Chennai if teams field Lanka players.