Share

IPL set to lose ringmaster

New Delhi - Embattled Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi faces the axe this week, possibly on Monday, as allegations of corruption swirl around the money-spinning tournament.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI), which owns the IPL, has made up its mind to sack Modi after the government launched a tax probe into alleged financial irregularities in the high-profile Twenty20 event.

"Either Modi goes on his own, or he will be pushed out," a senior member of the tournament's governing council told AFP. "His position as IPL chief has become untenable."

The BCCI has called an emergency meeting of the IPL's governing council in Mumbai on Monday to discuss allegations that include unsubstantiated media reports of match-fixing in the tournament.

There have been several indications over the past few days that Modi's days are numbered.

The board's top brass, including president Shashank Manohar and secretary N Srinivasan, skipped the IPL awards ceremony on Friday night ahead of Sunday's final of the tournament's third edition.

Of the 14 members of the IPL governing council, only three - former India great Sunil Gavaskar, ex-BCCI chief Inderjit Singh Bindra and Modi - attended the ceremony in Mumbai.

Other glaring absentees were superstar Sachin Tendulkar, even though he won both the best batsman and best captain awards, and current national skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Some media reports have suggested Modi may himself step down after Sunday's final to avoid further embarrassment.

Modi could also lose his post as chairman of the T20 Champions League, a club tournament jointly organised by the cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa.

The inaugural Champions League was held in India last year, while the second edition is scheduled to be played in South Africa in September.

The IPL, which began in 2008, features the world's top cricketers playing the popular Twenty20 format of the game for eight franchises owned by India's wealthy businessmen and film stars.

Two more franchises are to be added for the 2011 season.

The ruthlessly ambitious and brash Modi has run the IPL like a personal fiefdom, signing lucrative deals as sponsors tumbled over each other to join the party.

The tournament, a spectacular mix of the country's favourite sport and glamour, is already estimated to have a brand value of four billion dollars.

The tax probe began after junior foreign minister Shashi Tharoor was forced to resign over claims that his girlfriend was given a free stake worth $15m dollars in a new franchise.

Details of the ownership of the team in the southern city of Kochi were leaked on microblogging website Twitter by Modi.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee ordered the probe last week amid allegations from the political opposition that the IPL was a front for money laundering and illegal betting.

The government has so far resisted calls from the opposition parties for a joint parliamentary probe into the alleged financial irregularities in the tournament.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE