Two small bombs exploded outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians was about to start - injuring at least 14 people.

The Indian police also defused another three bombs near the Stadium which has raised concerns that the Commonwealth Games, which is due to open on October 3, will be a target for a major terrorist attack.

The blasts came a day after the United States issued a new travel alert, warning that "terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India".

Ammonium nitrate, glycerin and nuts and bolts were used to make the bombs, an Indian forensic science official said.

"Give us some time, we will let you know who is behind this," M.R. Pujar, a senior police officer in Bangalore, said.

"But it appears that the attempt is to scare people."

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), had claimed last month that confidence was growing among international teams that they would be safe.

He said: "Security planning for the Games is uppermost in everyone’s minds here, that was certainly echoed in all reports from the Delhi Government, the Government of India and the Delhi police."

Perry Crosswhite (pictured), the chief executive of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA), claimed that it would not affect their preparations for the Games.

He said: "These things continue to happen and they will continue all the way to the Games, but [security experts] don't see it as direct threat to the Games.

"It's just another example of unrest in the country and that part of the world and no one has claimed any responsibility."

But New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) President Mike Stanley was more cautious and said that they would seek advice from the Government before confirming whether they would compete in Delhi.

He said: "It's a worrying development, and we're keen to know as much as we can before we take it further.

"If safety concerns became too great, the team would not go, but he could not say when that decision would be made.

"It could be at any time, if there was a degree of threat we felt was unacceptable."

Australia's world discus champion Dani Samuels said security at major sporting events continued to be an issue for athletes.

She said: "Back when the Sydney Track Classic was on [in February], there was all the uproar in the media about security [in India].

"It is an issue, but it is an issue with every competition you go to pretty much.

"The Commonwealth Games is six months away, you can't say anything now - you train through and when it comes to the time to get on the plane you decide."

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