Media reports say IPL teams want Chennai axed as venue
There have been instances where a venue has been changed due to a political crisis. In 2010, at the height of the Telangana crisis in Andhra Pradesh, the IPL governing council had moved matches out of Hyderabad.
Citing security of the Sri Lankan players, Indian Premier League teams have requested the governing council to drop Chennai as a venue for the upcoming season of the cash-rich Twenty20 league.
According to a report in the Mumbai Mirror, at least six IPL franchises were asked to exclude their Sri Lankan players from this season's matches in Chennai due to the prevailing anti-Sinhala sentiments in Tamil Nadu.
There have been instances where a venue has been changed due to a political crisis. In 2010, at the height of the Telangana crisis in Andhra Pradesh, the IPL governing council had moved matches out of Hyderabad.
Now-defunct Deccan Chargers used to play their home matches in the city of Charminar.
"Apply the same yardstick here, too," said an official from a top franchise that has an important Sri Lankan player in its ranks.
Dropping Sri Lankan players for games scheduled in Chennai will definitely take a hit in team compositions, especially when they are up against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.
If this happens then Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Hyderabad Sunrisers will have to bench key players in Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, respectively.
BCCI and IPL authorities are yet to take a call on the issue and refused any comment on the development.
Sri Lankans in the IPL
CSK: Akila Dananjaya and N Kulasekara
Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (captain) and Jeevan Mendis
Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake
Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga
Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews
Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Janith Perera
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muthaiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera