Saurav Ganguly expresses anguish on attack on Sri Lankan players

Patna /Jaipur, Mar 8 (ANI): Former Indian captain Saurav Ganguly has said the attack on the Sri Lankan players in Pakistan was as a cause for worry for the game.

"It is terrible for the game of cricket where players are attacked by terrorists. I think their job is to represent the country and play the sport," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a function in Patna.

The attack has cast a security shadow on Indian Premier League (IPL).

The tournament will go ahead despite security concerns, but some fixtures are being rescheduled to avoid clashing with general dates.

Officials of Rajasthan Royals, which won the inaugural championship in 2008, said they felt sad as Mumbai, and not Jaipur will host the inaugural match.

"We all are feeling bad that the match will not be there in Jaipur as the team has lot of attachment from this place. Secondly, it is my first season with IPL and I wanted to cheer for the team from the home ground," said Shilpa Shetty, Bollywood actress and co-owner of the Rajasthan Royal Franchise, inaipur.

Shetty said the IPL was perfect blend of cricket and Bollywood, which augured well for the game.

"I have never seen a one-day match more than five overs. It is enjoyable for me as an audience. So it makes sense for me to be part of something like this. IPL is a whole amalgam of Bollywood and sports coming together. There is nothing bigger than the game," Shetty said.

The league, involving many international players, has been thrust into the security spotlight in the wake of militant attack on Lankan players. (ANI)