Second Test will not be shifted from Hyderabad: BCCI

BCCI President N Srinivasan will speak to Cricket Australia Chairman to assure him of the security of players

The BCCI today made it clear that the second cricket Test between India and Australia will go ahead as per schedule in Hyderabad since the state government has assured the safety and security of the players.

The city of Hyderabad was rocked by two terror blasts yesterday, killing 17 people and injuring many.

The visiting Australian players and officials had expressed concerns but BCCI today assured them all safety measures would be in place.

Senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla said they saw no reason to shift the Hyderabad Test, scheduled to begin from March 2, from the city.

"After BCCI President spoke to me, I spoke to Union Home Secretary, who was in Hyderabad and had discussion with the Chief Minister and officials of state government. After that he apprised me that adequate security will be provided to the players as well as the spectators. So, Test match should not be shifted out of Hyderabad," Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament House.

Shukla, who is also IPL Chairman, said BCCI President N Srinivasan will speak to Cricket Australia Chairman to assure him of the security of the players.

"I have conveyed to BCCI President, who in turn is going to speak to Chairman of Cricket Australia to convey that when government is giving guarantee of safety and security of the players and the spectators, we should not change the venue," Shukla said.

The first Test match has started in Chennai today.