Bangalore, Fri, Jan 22 2010 (Cric Buzz) - The Indian Premier League's opening match was shifted from Hyderabad to Mumbai owing to the political unrest in Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana issue.
"It remains a Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders match but instead of Hyderabad, it would be held in Mumbai. The opening game, the opening ceremony and the opening gala dinner (on March 11) are very important for us. People from all over the world are coming and we are going to make sure that everything is in order. We don't want to take any chances," Modi told reporters.
"There are no changes to other matches, everything looks fine. We have worked it out with the franchises and the teams and decided that match would be held in Mumbai," he added.
The IPL opener is scheduled on March 12.
Meanwhile, Modi also clarified that Delhi would remain a venue for the IPL. The Kotla at Delhi has been banned by the ICC for one year for international matches due to its unfit pitch in the India-Sri Lanka ODI. However, since the IPL is not an international event, but a domestic one for India, technically Delhi is not banned from hosting matches in the IPL.
"Delhi remains a venue for IPL. All the preparations are being made. Practice games will start in the first week of February and we will ensure that the pitch is in right condition to play matches," Modi said.
Modi said the auction for two new teams would be held next month.
"We are hoping that by the first week of February, we will have two new teams auctioned," he said.
Modi said he did not influence any of franchises' picks at the auction and there was never an intent to humiliate the Pakistani cricketers, as is being alleged across the border.
"Why should we get into the issue of apologizing or not? IPL has put its best foot forward at the auction. It is upto the team owners to decide whom to take. They have different reasons," he said.
"I am not a super selector and I don't want that job. They way you people are writing, you are damaging the already fragile relationship (between India and Pakistan) further. There is no reason we would want to humiliate Pakistani players," he in a reference to the media coverage of the incident.
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