Mar 13 tie advanced at FIH request

“It’s a matter of pride for all of us in the BCCI and IPL that India is hosting the World Cup. To give a clear window for the March 13 final (in New Delhi) we will start the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals (at Mumbai) at 3 pm instead of 4 pm,” IPL Chief Lalit Modi announced here on Wednesday.

Modi’s announcement came in the presence of FIH President Leandro Negre, who flew down personally to thank him for the gesture and said the World Cup final will be held between 6:30 pm and 8 pm on the same day.

“I’m very pleased and happy over the good gesture by the IPL. It’s good working together,” said Negre, who represented Spain in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.

Modi said that with the change in timings the Indian sports fans can look forward to a “Super Saturday” on March 13, the second day of the Twenty20 League.

“For the fans of hockey and cricket March 13 is going to be a Super Saturday. First they can watch the IPL tie between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, then can turn to the hockey World Cup final from 6.30 pm and then revert to IPL for the day’s second match (from 8 pm),” Modi said.

“We wanted to give a clear window for the World Cup final and hopefully India would figure in it,” the IPL chief said.

Modi also invited Negre for the opening ceremony of the IPL scheduled at Hyderabad on March 12 and the FIH president, in turn, asked Modi to be present for the next day’s World Cup final at Delhi.