By IANS,
New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) supremo Lalit Modi tweeted Saturday that all Deccan Chargers’ games have been moved out of Andhra Pradesh due to political unrest over the Telangana issue.
Modi posted on Twitter that all the seven matches, including the opening game, have been shifted out of Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam. State capital Hyderabad was scheduled to host five matches and Vishakhapatnam two.
The opening match between defending champions Deccan Chargers and Kokata Knight Riders will now be held March 12 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Chargers will play their next three matches in Nagpur (March 19, 21, 28) and will return to D.Y. Patil for the remaining three league matches (April 5, 10, 12).
The move comes even after the state government assured top security for the Twenty20 extravaganza.
Andhra Pradesh Sports Minister K. Venkat Reddy said it was an insult to the state. Reddy has also appealed to Deccan Chargers to boycott the IPL.
“IPL has insulted Andhra Pradesh by shifting out the match to Mumbai. We request Sharad Pawar and Lalit Modi to reconsider the decision within 24 hours,” he said.
“We have asked Deccan Chargers to stay away from the event as an expression of solidarity and send the message that the whole state is united in demanding relocation of the (inaugural) match,” he added.