The Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday named South Africa as the host of the six-week tournament, beginning next month.
The decision followed talks held in Johannesburg between Cricket South Africa’s chief executive Gerald Majola and IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who had been expected to visit England on Wednesday to evaluate the possibility of staging the event there.
Although no official announcement has been made yet, sources said that the tournament will be held between April 18 and May 24, a delay of about one week from the original schedule.
Eight venues have been identified for staging the eight-team tournament and the matches will start at 4 pm IST and 8 pm IST to make it convenient for Indian television viewers.
South Africa pipped England as the venue after the BCCI decided to shift the tournament outside India because of security issues in view of the general elections.
The tournament will feature 59 matches. It is understood that concerns over weather, logistics and the costs involved persuaded IPL executives to choose South Africa ahead of England.
The decision followed talks held in Johannesburg between Cricket South Africa’s chief executive Gerald Majola and IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who had been expected to visit England on Wednesday to evaluate the possibility of staging the event there.
Although no official announcement has been made yet, sources said that the tournament will be held between April 18 and May 24, a delay of about one week from the original schedule.
Eight venues have been identified for staging the eight-team tournament and the matches will start at 4 pm IST and 8 pm IST to make it convenient for Indian television viewers.
South Africa pipped England as the venue after the BCCI decided to shift the tournament outside India because of security issues in view of the general elections.
The tournament will feature 59 matches. It is understood that concerns over weather, logistics and the costs involved persuaded IPL executives to choose South Africa ahead of England.
