Delhi likely to be dropped as IPL venue

The IPL has submitted to Indian government officials a re-revised schedule that incorporates several adjustments including, it is believed, a decision to drop Delhi from the list of venues. The new schedule, which follows Monday's meeting between league and government officials, is expected to sacrifice at least one more franchise base to get security clearance for the IPL's second season.

"The Delhi police have clearly stated that they cannot provide security on any of the dates mentioned in the [earlier] schedule. That means as of now Delhi does not figure on the venue list," an IPL official told Cricinfo.

No officials from the IPL or the BCCI, which owns it, were available for comment.

The Indian government's refusal to part with central security forces during the general elections, which largely overlap with the IPL season, has raised serious doubts over the IPL taking off and has forced the organisers to think of alternative options. It appears they are willing to compromise on the home-and-away concept and instead stage matches in states not part of the original franchise concept but willing and able to host the IPL. Dharamshala, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, and Raipur, in central India, are two such towns the IPL is eyeing and a decision is expected soon on that.

Meanwhile, PTI reported that the IPL had received a clarification from Kolkata that it would not have any problem with revised schedule since the matches would not clash with election preparations in the city.