While the BCCI is still in talks about where to host the IPL’s second edition, South Africa seemed to emerge as the likely venue late on Monday, with IPL commissioner Lalit Modi leaving for Johannesburg last night. Modi and other officials are scheduled to hold talks with the government officials to work out logistical details.

An official announcement to this regard is likely only on Wednesday, after Modi travels to England as well, sources said.

England had been tipped to host the event for several reasons — the huge Indian diaspora, shorter travelling distances between venues — and even the Indian team management, from New Zealand, had stated their preference to play in the country which will host the Twenty20 world championships right after the IPL.

However, the South African government then put its weight behind the bid to host the event, and a few other factors made it a more viable option.

The biggest advantage, one that might eventually clinch it for South Africa, is the fact that Supersport are exclusive broadcasters both for CSA and the IPL.

In England, there could be a large speedbump: Under ECB’s contract, Sky television (the ECB’s broadcast partners) have the rights to any new competition — sanctioned by the ECB in either the domestic or international arenas. But the status of a competition organised by an overseas board and taking place in this country with the co-operation of the ECB is not clear. Sky’s rival Setanta hold the broadcast rights in England to all 59 matches in the IPL under a five-year deal agreed last year.

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