IPL semis moved to Navi Mumbai

Following the twin blasts outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to move the semi-final matches to Navi Mumbai.

Talking to Business Standard from Dubai, where he is attending an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said, “Some of the players were apprehensive after Saturday’s blasts in Bangalore and we have very reluctantly decided to move the matches to Navi Mumbai.”

“The Karnataka government has been absolutely fantastic in extending its support and taking care of the security of people, however, the BCCI president felt that based upon players’ concerns we should move the matches to another venue”. Asked whether the ICC had asked BCCI to move the matches to another venue, Modi said that it was an internal decision.

With just three days to go before the first semi-final on April 21, Modi said there would be logistical issues as tickets have already been sold for Bangalore. “The major task would be to move the players and making sure of their safety. We will have to put the tickets in the market and ensure their sale. We are confident to do that in the available time,” said Modi.

There had been two low-intensity blasts outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday that injured more than 12 people. On Sunday another bomb was found near the stadium by police officials.