Martyn says IPL security in India like a 'fortress'

Mumbai, Mar 12(ANI): Rajasthan Royals and former Australian batsman Damien Martyn has rejected claims over security fears in India, and urged his fellow nationals not to be pressured into making a decision not to participate.

The build up to the third season of the Indian Premier League, starting today, has been dominated by the prospect of players boycotting the event due to safety threats made by an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist.

"Our home base has been a fortress," The Age quoted Martyn, as having written in his blog

"From outside the hotel to inside the grounds, there are police everywhere, even to the extent that on each of our floors there are guards and scanners," he added.

Martyn, who was signed for 100,000 dollars to play for the Rajasthan Royals, had earlier said that Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne had assured him the team owners were doing everything they could to ensure player safety.

"The reports we've received suggest nothing has changed. I have the utmost faith in officials to ensure our safety and welfare is top priority. There are no guarantees. Bombs can go off anywhere and we've been on Ashes tours when bombs have exploded," Martyn had said.

The 38-year-old, however, said he would take safety precautions during his six weeks' stay in India.

"I will stick around the hotel and I won't be heading to the markets like I may have done on past trips. My biggest concern as I packed my bags was leaving my child who I'll miss terribly," he aid. (ANI)