Throwing IPL in India’s face,Australia pulls out of Davis Cup

Australia coach John Fitzgerald said that his team had no option but to pull out,and asked if the IPL had been moved from India for no reason. “Surely some thought must be given to the players’ safety,” he said on TA’s website. “I believe they say the election is not a cause for concern,the IPL moving is not relevant and that an ATP tournament held in January shows it is safe to play in Chennai. So what about the fact that dozens of people are being killed along the campaign trail of the election? A train was hijacked this week,but that does not alter their thoughts? Did the IPL move for no reason?”

Home Minister P Chidambaran,who had first raised the IPL-elections clash issue last month,insisted that the Davis Cup could be held safely in India. In a statement,he said,“Davis Cup is one match,one visiting team,one venue,one small stadium,three days. India,and the event,is completely safe. Foolproof security can and will be provided.”

Meanwhile,TA’s president Geoff Pollard said: “ We cannot send the team. It would be irresponsible of us to send our players into an area of such high risk.”

Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione were the well-known names due to be part of the Australian team.

Said All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna: “There have been 500 assaults on Indians in Australia but we just went there for the junior Davis Cup.” Sports Minister M.S. Gill said,“The State and the Central Governments had assured them of complete security. It interests me that though the UK has had terrorists incidents,Australia will be going for the Ashes.”