Published: Mar 06, 2014, 05:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 06, 2014, 05:29 PM (IST)
Johannesburg: Mar 6, 2014
South Africa has reportedly been ruled out as an overseas venue for this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bangladesh were the main contenders to host the tournament, which coincides with India‘s general elections.
According to Sport24, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Narayanaswami Srinivasan had said that a final decision on IPL venues would be taken after election dates had been announced.
After the Election Commission of India announced that polls would be held in nine phases until May 12, IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal said that as the election dates have been finalized, they are working towards hosting the bulk of the matches in India.
Biswal further said that they have discussed hosting the tournament in foreign venues, although they have not yet decided as they need a couple of days more to finalise the offshore venue.
However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said that they have not yet received an update on the BCCI decision.
South Africa hosted the IPL in 2009, but the ”lack of turnouts at the stadium” was a major concern, and the report added that the 2009 event led to the bonus scandal at CSA and the eventual ousting of CEO Gerald Majola in 2012.
