Indian Premier League authorities on Sunday shifted both the IPL semifinals to Navi Mumbai following yesterday's twin blasts in Bangalore which was the original venue.
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi today said in a statement that even though the IPL security agency found the blasts of low-intensity, the authorities had no other way but to shift the matches to the DY Patil Stadium, which would also host the April 25 final.
"While reluctant to relocate the semifinals at such short notice, yesterday's incidents have made it clear that the current environment in Bangalore prevents us from continuing with our original plans," Modi said.
"The incidents were assessed by local police and the IPL's security agency as being of a minor nature but they have forced our hand. This decision is naturally disappointing for the people of Bangalore but has been taken with the tournament's best interests, and the interests of its many varied stakeholders, in mind," Modi said.
Accordingly, the DY Patil Stadium will host the semifinals on April 21 and 22, the third place playoff match on April 24 and the final on April 25.
'Despite this setback, we're confident the semifinals and finals of DLF IPL 2010 will be successfully contested and provide a fitting finale to a remarkable tournament," Modi added.
Modi's announcement came soon after Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Brijesh Patel claimed that he had a chat with Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari and Bangalore would host the semifinals as was scheduled.
"They have assured (us) all security measures will be taken and matches will go on," Patel said. PTI
