Citing franchisee sources, Indiantelevision.com is reporting that South Africa has trumped England as the venue for the Indian Premier League, the popular 20-20 cricket league that has been forced to go overseas after the central government and key Indian states declined to assure security citing general elections that are scheduled around the same time as the tournament.

Yesterday, the Mumbai High Court had lifted the injunction on the Board of Control For Cricket in India, or BCCI, allowing the body to discuss television rights with channels other than Multi Screen Media Ltd, the incumbent broadcaster.

Worried about potential losses as the league is pushed out of India, the franchisees of the league are turning to the BCCI, Business Standard reported today.