Telangana fire moves IPL 3 out of Hy’bad

Mumbai: The unrest in Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana issue had far reaching effects as the Indian Premier League 3 governing body decided to move out the opening match from Hyderabad and shift it to Mumbai.

Also, Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium, which is serving a one year ban by the ICC over the international fixtures, will be retained as an IPL venue.

The Deccan Charges were scheduled to star in the opening match after the legendary IPL opening ceremonies to kick-start the new edition with two new teams. The honours will be shared by Mumbai as franchisee owners were not keen on hosting the opening ceremony in the state of Andhra after riots had marked the formation of the new state of Telangana.

IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, told a press conference on Friday that the decision to move out the opening ceremony was taken after elaborate talks with the officials and the team owners and all decided to host the same in Mumbai. He added, “I assure you that the IPL 3 opening ceremony will be bigger, more spectacular on its comeback to India.”

He added, “We would like to have two new teams for the show, they will be auction in mid-February.”

He also assured that the Kotla pitch would be ready as per the international standards by the first week of February, the time when the practice of the third season of the T20 league would begin.


SOURCE :- cricket.zeenews.com