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Sachin disappointed with IPL shift
Sachin Tendulkar was disappointed with the IPL being shifted out of the country as it will deny him a chance to play in front of the home crowd.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: March 23, 2009 12:28 PM IST
Read Time:4 min
Auckland:
"It is disappointing that the IPL has been moved out of India. We will certainly miss playing in front of our supporters. It won't be the same," said Tendulkar, who is the captain of Mumbai Indians team.
The BCCI took the surprise decision on Sunday after the government told the organisers that it may not be possible to provide adequate security during the 45-day event due to general election in the country.
Tendulkar said it was a great feeling to play the matches in home and away basis in the inaugural edition of the event. "It was a good concept to play home and away matches. This is something that the teams will miss this time around," he said.
However, the Mumbai cricketer said the decision was not unexpected to him as the schedule of IPL was clashing with dates of the general elections.
"This was expected. Wherever we play, we hope to have the same fervour that we had had last season," Tendulkar said. Meanwhile, his Team India colleague Yuvraj Singh, who is also the skipper of Kings XI Punjab, said although he was disheartened he would abide by the decision of the cricket board.
"It is sad that the IPL won't be held in India. But we have to go ahead with it as it is the decision of the Board," Yuvraj said.
"As we would be returning home from New Zealand after a long tour, we hope we are allowed to take our families along," he added.
The left-hander said he would miss playing in front of home crowds. "It will be different. The whole concept of home and away games is gone now.
It will be all away games, no home crowd, no home conditions. It is going to be different from last year," he said.
But he insisted that he was prepared to play anywhere in the world.
"We are always looking to play cricket, whether it is in India or away. The IPL is such a popular tournament, it should go ahead. Twenty20 is enjoyed by fans all around the world. There are a lot of Indians in England and South Africa, so numbers will not be a problem," he said. Balaji said the players ought to accept what the Board decides.
"Definitely, it will be different. I am sure the IPL is trying its best to make it possible to hold the tournament. So we have to accept whatever options we are getting. It is tough at present because elections are more important in India now," he said.
"It is like touring somewhere. When it comes to the Indian team there is a fan following abroad and even when we come to places like New Zealand those back home also make sure they watch the games on TV," he added.
Balaji said not getting to play in front of Indian fans is a depressing thought.
"It is quite depressing in that we won't have home matches. But at least the IPL is making it happen. It is just that the fans will have to watch all the fun and action on TV instead of being a part of it at the grounds."
Gambhir, meanwhile, hoped that IPL would be held in England so that it helps the team prepare for next month's Twenty20 World Cup there.
"I think it is going to be good if the IPL happens in England because the Twenty20 World Cup will be played there.
"We would have a good chance to get acclimatised to the conditions and the wickets as well. That should be good for the Indian team. But at the same time we would have loved to play in India and spend some time with family," he said. Gambhir echoed his teammates disappointment at not being able to play in front home fans.
"Also there is a lot of support for the home team. Now we don't know what kind of support we would get in India because it is going to be a neutral venue for all the teams. It is going to be a lot different from last time around but at the same time it is going to be exciting," he said.
Sachin Tendulkar was disappointed with the BCCI's decision to shift the cash-rich Indian Premier League out of the country as it will deny him a chance to play in front of the home crowd."It is disappointing that the IPL has been moved out of India. We will certainly miss playing in front of our supporters. It won't be the same," said Tendulkar, who is the captain of Mumbai Indians team.
The BCCI took the surprise decision on Sunday after the government told the organisers that it may not be possible to provide adequate security during the 45-day event due to general election in the country.
Tendulkar said it was a great feeling to play the matches in home and away basis in the inaugural edition of the event. "It was a good concept to play home and away matches. This is something that the teams will miss this time around," he said.
However, the Mumbai cricketer said the decision was not unexpected to him as the schedule of IPL was clashing with dates of the general elections.
"This was expected. Wherever we play, we hope to have the same fervour that we had had last season," Tendulkar said. Meanwhile, his Team India colleague Yuvraj Singh, who is also the skipper of Kings XI Punjab, said although he was disheartened he would abide by the decision of the cricket board.
"It is sad that the IPL won't be held in India. But we have to go ahead with it as it is the decision of the Board," Yuvraj said.
"As we would be returning home from New Zealand after a long tour, we hope we are allowed to take our families along," he added.
The left-hander said he would miss playing in front of home crowds. "It will be different. The whole concept of home and away games is gone now.
It will be all away games, no home crowd, no home conditions. It is going to be different from last year," he said.
But he insisted that he was prepared to play anywhere in the world.
"We are always looking to play cricket, whether it is in India or away. The IPL is such a popular tournament, it should go ahead. Twenty20 is enjoyed by fans all around the world. There are a lot of Indians in England and South Africa, so numbers will not be a problem," he said. Balaji said the players ought to accept what the Board decides.
"Definitely, it will be different. I am sure the IPL is trying its best to make it possible to hold the tournament. So we have to accept whatever options we are getting. It is tough at present because elections are more important in India now," he said.
"It is like touring somewhere. When it comes to the Indian team there is a fan following abroad and even when we come to places like New Zealand those back home also make sure they watch the games on TV," he added.
Balaji said not getting to play in front of Indian fans is a depressing thought.
"It is quite depressing in that we won't have home matches. But at least the IPL is making it happen. It is just that the fans will have to watch all the fun and action on TV instead of being a part of it at the grounds."
Gambhir, meanwhile, hoped that IPL would be held in England so that it helps the team prepare for next month's Twenty20 World Cup there.
"I think it is going to be good if the IPL happens in England because the Twenty20 World Cup will be played there.
"We would have a good chance to get acclimatised to the conditions and the wickets as well. That should be good for the Indian team. But at the same time we would have loved to play in India and spend some time with family," he said. Gambhir echoed his teammates disappointment at not being able to play in front home fans.
"Also there is a lot of support for the home team. Now we don't know what kind of support we would get in India because it is going to be a neutral venue for all the teams. It is going to be a lot different from last time around but at the same time it is going to be exciting," he said.
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