WIth the IPL's future in the balance, franchises are sweating it out

WITH less than a month to go for the India Premier League, IPL officials and the government are busy trying to agree on terms and dates that would allow a successful and safe second edition of the cash-rich tournament.

Yesterday, the central government rejected another IPL schedule and the organisers are expected to come up with a revised schedule today.

With the general elections to be held around the same time, security has been a major concern for the government and the IPL officials. Several state governments have also refused to provide security for the tournament on several dates because of the elections.

An alternative being floated around is to have a truncated IPL with more games everyday.

However, with time running out, the franchises, who have pumped in crores, are most concerned.

Highly concerned
"With everything hanging in the balance, it is not a very favourable situation for us. We are highly concerned and I am certain the situation is the same with all the other franchises too," said a Kolkata Knight Riders' source.

After the success of the inaugural edition, everyone was looking forward to the IPL, especially the franchises and the sponsors who are expecting returns in these times of recession.

"That is something that many are worried about. With nothing certain as of now, we cannot go to the sponsors as there is no concrete plan in place. In a way, our hands are tied as of now and all we can do is wait for something to be finalised," the source said.

However, Kolkata Knight Riders, and possibly all other franchises too, are looking at the positives.

"As of now, there is not a lot we can do. And security is an issue that needs to be looked at very minutely.

"But at the same time, the way we are looking at it is that either there is IPL or there is no IPL. We are prepared to wait and work out our options in the available time. Whatever time we have will obviously be better than not having an IPL," the source added.

The fans are surely counting the days and so are the IPL officials. But there's no doubt there's no one more eager than the franchises. After all, they have a lot at stake.