IPL dates likely to change due to polls, terror strikes

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to alter the dates of a few Indian Premier League (IPL) matches so that they don't clash with Lok Sabha elections.

"We are open to making minor adjustments in IPL schedule. No IPL match will be held in a city where polls are being held that day," BCCI President Shashank Manohar told CNN-IBN.

After the terror attack on the Sri Lankan players in Lahore on Tuesday, the Home Ministry believes security will be a major concern with General Elections, too, taking place at the same time as the IPL.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had told CNN-IBN that IPL matches should ideally be held after the elections are over so that adequate security can be provided.

"I have asked the Home Secretary to get in touch with the IPL organisers. The dates of the elections have been announced and the dates are un-alterable, so I have asked them to see if the IPL dates can be re-scheduled. But let me assure that cricket in India will be safe. All that I am asking is if the dates can be re-scheduled because I don’t want the paramilitary forces to be stretched too much," said Chidambaram.

There are fears that security agencies will be busy with arrangements for the elections and the level of security needed for the high-profile IPL matches may not be up to the mark.

Reiterating the government's stand on IPL matches, ICC president-designate Sharad Pawar has said that unlike Pakistan, in India the security forces are competent and the public is alert, which is sufficient to avoid attacks on sportsmen.

IPL team Kings XI Punjab's co-owner Priety Zinta said that they have full fatirh in the Government of India.

"We request the government to keep the players and tournament safe. That's a govt decision and we respect that. Within the stadium and outside we will be having our own security. We have to look at the brighter side as terrorism infuse fear. I hope that there would be great security," said Zinta.

The IPL starts on April 10 and the first round of polling is on the April 16.