Decision on IPL host by Tuesday night: Modi

A decision whether England or South Africa will host the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be taken by Tuesday night, IPL chairman Lalit Modi said in Mumbai on Monday night.

"We need to take a decision by tomorrow, one way or the other and we will have a decision by tomorrow night," Modi told NDTV at the Mumbai International Airport shortly before leaving for Johannesburg.

Modi said he has already spoken to Cricket South Africa chief Gerald Majola and will hold detailed talks with him in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning.

Asked to compare between the suitability of England and South Africa as venue of the Twenty20 competition, he said the only issue the IPL is looking at is the weather condition and the calendar of cricketing events in the two countries.

Modi said both England and South Africa have large Indian populations and South Africa is going to be free after the tour by Australia to that country gets over by mid- April.

He said both the countries have "lots of pluses and we are going to examine them in detail."

The IPL chairman said "South Africa as well as England will be happy to host the tournament as it's a large business for them and it is a very, very prestigious event."

However, Modi also added on Monday that wet weather and packed hotel rooms around the London marathon on April 26 are concerns in England.

"One overwhelming factor in England is the weather for us," he said.

"England have very easy connectivity from eight or nine Indian cities. There are a lot of South Asian fans.

"The other big issue is England is already preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup and all grounds are ready.

"[But] there is 70 percent chance that rain can disrupt games in the month of May."