The theme of having an International tournament, year after year with aura and grandeur might turn out to be little tarnished with the Indian Premier League, edition II getting it's pass to host with "pride" on an International Arena. After the recent terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers, the Indian Government were little reluctant to provide full security to the players and the tournament as a whole because, according to certain leaders, "the greatest match for the nation", i.e the general election for the Lok Sabha, 2009 would be taking place, quite precariously coinciding with the IPL matches. The IPL matches were about to begin from April 10th, 2009 while the first date for the Lok Sabha General Election would be taken on 16th April, 2009 where 23% of the nation goes to poll.
The matter is that although the BCCI tried the last thread to keep the tournamnet on home grounds, but due to immense pressure on all fronts, the security couldnt be managed! Heading towards the dateline, the council decided to shift the matches to South Africa, promising a pre-prime time and a prime time broadcast of 4PM and 8PM (IST).
Although the huges financial losses could have been saved, but the dignity of the nation couldnt be saved! How about oprganising the tournament in alternate years, just like the Champion's Trophy and others? An annual extravaganza would soon drop the lustre from the event, although Cricket and Cricketers are next to God in India. Still... more galas like the Olympics could be postponed in the 30s for World Wars, then why not IPL? Atleast, India could save the tournament rights in her own soil!!!
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