Indian board prepares Plan 'B' for IPL 7

N Srinivasan

Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could not arrive at a decision about the venues for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League yesterday in its Working Committee meeting in Bhuvaneshwar, a lot of discussion centred around this important issue.

N Srinivasan

A final decision will only be taken after the Indian government declares the dates of the forthcoming general elections.

Though the BCCI has made it clear that South Africa would be the preferred destination to host the IPL if it is not possible to hold the tournament in India due to security reasons, yesterday in the meeting, a Plan ‘B' was kept ready.

The Board is keen to hold the second half of the tournament in India due to immense pressure from sponsors and franchisees. "If the second half happens in India then the first half will be moved to either UAE or Bangladesh. If it is not possible to hold the business end of IPL in India this time then the tournament will be shifted to South Africa," a Working Committee member told mid-day yesterday.

A final decision on hosting the IPL will now be taken in the IPL Governing Council meeting which is likely to be held on March 6.

Bounty for associations
Meanwhile, BCCI president N Srinivasan was given a "huge round of applause" and congratulated by the members for being appointed the first chairman of the International Cricket Council recently.

Srinivasan won every member's heart when he announced that every cricket association would now get Rs 15 crores over and above the Rs 20 crores that the Board distributes to these association annually. The BCCI is expected to get at least 21% share from ICC's revenue as compared to 4% under the new structure.