Elections force change in IPL schedule
The assembly elections in Karnataka have forced itinerary changes in the Indian Premier League matches
Cricinfo staff
10-Apr-2008
Assembly elections in Karnataka have forced itinerary changes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The match scheduled for May 10 between Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians has been pushed to May 28 and a direct switch has been made between Bangalore and Hyderabad for their matches against each other. Bangalore will now host Hyderabad on May 3 and visit them on May 25. The elections are on May 10, 16 and 22 and the counting of votes is on May 25.
"Because of the elections and the counting, we will have massive repercussions on hospitality and security," Charu Sharma, the CEO of the Bangalore franchise told Cricinfo. "The law stipulates that you can't serve liquor in public functions one day before the elections and that would have affected the hospitality plans in the ground. Also, the availability of adequate security would have been affected as the focus might be more on the elections."
The Bangalore franchise consulted the IPL governing council, and the Hyderabad and Mumbai franchises, before making the changes in the schedule.