IPL schedule set to change again

Indian Premier League officials are having to submit a second revised playing schedule to their home ministry in order to receive security clearance.

The IPL is scheduled to be held from 10 April to 24 May, while national elections take place across the country between 16 April and 13 May.

The home ministry claims to be short of resources due to the clash of dates.

Security is high on the agenda after the attack on Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan earlier this month.

The Lahore attacks have forced IPL organisers to undertake a detailed reassessment of the security arrangements and they have promised to take charge of all player security arrangements for the six-week event.

But the schedule is now likely to change again to take into account the country's general election.

"IPL organisers have been advised to accommodate the concerns of various state governments and draw up a revised schedule and submit the same to the home ministry," said a statement for the interior ministry.

Chief-executive officer for the IPL, Sindar Rahman, calmed fears that the competition could be cancelled due to the security issues.

"The home ministry has said that the IPL is on but minor changes are required to the schedule," said Rahman.

"We've been working closely with the law enforcement authority and will come up with a revised schedule."