Modi confident to face BCCI bouncers

Monday is going to be a hectic day for Lalit Modi, the suspended chairman and commissioner of the Indian Premier League, as he would have to reply to several charges levelled against him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

While the Board might take punitive measures against Modi if it finds his explanation unsatisfactory, the suspended IPL chief appears confident as he says that he has the support of all IPL franchisees.

BCCI, the country’s apex authority on cricket administration, has issued two show-cause notices to Modi after suspending him on counts of impropriety.

On Monday, Modi is expected to reply to the first show-cause notice on the following aspects: With regard to the initial bids of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab; kickbacks from the broadcasting deal with Muti Screen Media and World Sports Group; bid rigging of the two new franchises; sale of internet rights; his alleged ownership in several IPL teams and his demeanour with other members of the IPL Governing Council.

While Modi has to explain his stand, for the time being, he seems unruffled by the storm surrounding him. On Saturday, he consulted his lawyer Harish Salve in Delhi and said he would come out clean and that IPL would not suffer.

On Thursday, BCCI had issued another show-cause notice to Modi , following England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman Giles Clarke’s allegations that Modi tried to float a parallel Twenty20 league in England and Wales in which eight existing franchises would bid for nine counties in the UK.

Responding to Clarke’s allegations, Modi wrote on social networking site Twiter, “Another day. Another show-cause notice. Any guesses as to whose purpose ECB’s Giles Clark was attempting to serve?” There were reports that Modi might take legal action against ECB and Clarke for defamation. However, he did not confirm this to Business Standard.

BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan had pointed out that event management company IMG was also involved with Modi to form a T20 league in England, which might harm the interests of world cricket.