Zeecric Bureau
Hyderabad: Still more than a month left for its kick-off, the Indian Premier League’s third edition continues to find itself surrounded by controversies.
Barely has an amiable solution been found over the participation of Pakistan players, and the security of Australian cricketers, the BCCI promoted Twenty20 extravaganza suffered another jolt when Andhra Pradesh Sports Minister urged the Hyderabad based franchisee and defending champions- The Deccan Chargers, to boycott IPL if the team’s matches are not held in Hyderabad.
The opening match of the IPL between Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders on March 12 was been shifted from Hyderabad because of the Telangana agitation.
But Sports Minister K Venkata Reddy wrote a letter to the team management saying that the agitation for a separate Telangana state would not endanger their security.
Even if the minister’s request is acceded too, the situation is likely to worsen as most foreign recruits might not be willing to venture into Hyderabad owing to security concerns.