10 March,2009 01:12 PM IST | | Agencies
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The Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi confirmed today that the tournament will begin from April 10, ending speculations that the T20 tournament could be postponed due to security.
"Even after the Mumbai terror attacks, we did have a match in Chennai (Test match against England). We are not Pakistan and there is no need to compare our country with Pakistan. We have taken necessary security measures and no body ha approached us with any concerns," Modi said at a press conference in Mumbai today during which the new IPL logo was also launched.
With the general election due to take place across the country, Modi said several dates needed to be changed and the fine-tuning of the schedule is still in progress. Modi also said that the security budged for this year's edition has been increased ten times.
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The BCCI vice-president also confirmed Ahmedabad and Vishakhapatnam as new venues for the second edition adding that Dharmashala and Nagpur were also being looked as possible venues. Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremony of the IPL. But the good news for Mumbai Indians fans is that all the seven homes games of the side will be held in Mumbai.
Modi also said that the process of ensuring tight security was a very rigorous one.
"First we prepared a schedule and sent it to all the state governments where matches are to be held. They then get back to us with suggestions or approvals and we revise the schedule accordingly," Modi said.
"So far, we have received confirmation from 90% of the state governments and three of them have also approved the schedule in writing. In cases like Rajashtan where they needed block dates for elections, we have looked at possible venues. Also, there will no match on May 16 because of counting," Modi added.
Many overseas players including Kevin Pietersen, IPL's most expensive player, have raised concerns over traveling to India following the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers last week in Lahore. But Modi said none of the players have directly or indirectly contacted the IPL regarding the same.
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