Terror sends cricket world running for extra cover

The terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore might take its toll on the cash-rich Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Twenty-20 League, with Home Minister P Chidambaram requesting the cricket body to postpone the tournament to after the polls. The tournament is slated to start from April 10 and the elections from April 16.

Speaking to a television channel, Chidambaram said: "I have already requested the home secretary to talk to the organisers of IPL to reschedule. Since IPL is coinciding with the elections, the para-military forces will be stretched."

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, however, stuck to his stand that the tournament would be held on schedule. An IPL executive, however, said they were ready to make some changes so that the matches in a city do not clash with elections there.

Modi had earlier said that the organisers are prepared for such a surprise attack and has put together a disaster management team capable of clearing a stadium within seven minutes of such an event.

As much as over Rs 1,100 crore is riding on the IPL , which includes broadcasting rights, advertising and merchandising of franchising teams.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is believed to have asked for National Security Guard cover following the Lahore attack, is meeting on Wednesday to respond to Chidambaram's request.

However, with various international matches lined up for the whole year, there is no window to shift the tournament except for October or January next year. Holding the 2009 edition in January 2010 would mean two IPL tournaments will be held in the same year.

Like Modi, Sony SetMax, the host broadcaster, is confident advertisers won't run away.

"We are getting advertiser queries even as we speak and there is no impact whatsoever on advertiser confidence," said a senior SetMax executive, requesting anonymity. The company has already sold more than half its inventory to large companies.

The IPL teams, however, are treading a cautious line. Said Amrit Mathur, CEO of GMR's Delhi Daredevils: "We have a limited role to play in security and that is something the state has to look into."

A spokesperson for Rajasthan Royals, which has many Australians on the team, said: “Security of players and fans is paramount for Rajasthan Royals and we are working very closely with the Rajasthan government on this issue.”

The other casualty will be the 2011 World Cup, cricket's largest tournament, to be co-hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistan alone was to host 14 of the 51 matches, a proposition that is clearly ruled out now. Pakistan is also scheduled to host one of the semi-final World Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore that was hit by the terror strike today.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has indicated that the matches in Pakistan may be re-allocated among the other host countries.

Ten Sports, the telecast rights holder for all international cricket matches in Pakistan, is also expecting international fixtures to move to neutral venues like Dubai and Abu Dhabi so the channel will not incur a loss. Ten Sports holds the Pakistan rights for five years, for which it reportedly paid the Pakistan Cricket Board $140.5 million.

"There are excellent options at the new Dubai Sports City stadium and the Abu Dhabi stadium, and the Pakistan-Australia one-day series will ensure packed crowds and superb atmospheres at these venues," Peter Hutton, senior vice president, production and programming, Ten Sports, told Business Standard.