McCullum: IPL shift sensible

New Zealand wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum says Indian Premier League bosses have made a 'sensible decision' after it was announced the Twenty20 tournament would be shifted to either England or South Africa this year.

Concerns surrounding security prompted the change with general elections in India due to occur around the same time as the April 10-May 24 tournament.

"I think it's a sensible decision based on the situation in India at the moment with the elections," McCullum said.

"When you can't guarantee the safety of the players involved in the tournament it makes it pretty tough to hold the tournament, regardless of where it is."

The 27-year-old Black Cap, who plays for the Kolkata franchise, admitted he felt some regret the tournament would not be going ahead in India.

"It's disappointing not to play in India because it is an amazing place. They get right behind the tournament and I think it would have been fantastic to have the second year there too."

"But I guess what it does do is create an opportunity to take it out on the road too so that could continue to grow its popularity around the world as well."

There are seven New Zealanders playing in the IPL - Jesse Ryder, Kyle Mills, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram and Scott Styris - while former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will coach Chennai.

McCullum had not made his mind up whether to join his franchise before the decision to switch countries had been made but all the players had been receiving regular security updates from the New Zealand Players' Association.

"They have done a pretty good job for us over a number of years with things like this. We trust them to work in our best interests and make sure that the recommendation they give us is based around our player safety first and foremost."