Three former captains hold the key to Modi's future

New Delhi: Lalit Modi's continuance as Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner is in the hands of the three former India captains and their voice and vote will decide his fate.

Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are expected to have their say at the IPL Governing Council meeting on Monday, April 26, and may even have their way too.

The focus seems to be on the high-profile board members, ignoring the three cricketers in the council. But the three hold all the aces and can influence the outcome of the meeting, according to knowledgeable sources who are privy to the working of the Council.

Both Gavaskar and Shastri are deeply involved with the Twenty20 league as members of the Governing Council as well as television commentators. So, their inputs on the happenings are as vital.

Even as Modi digs in, garnering support from both political leaders and corporate honchos, his senior colleagues in the cricket board are mounting pressure for his ouster.

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Board members are aware that Modi has something up his sleeve and he is not going to quit without dropping a bombshell. He is bound to spill beans over some of his colleagues, who have stakes in the franchises and will see to it that they, too, have to answer for their omissions and commissions.

The members also realise that apart from the future of Indian cricket, there is a political fallout and a huge business angle involved. At least two officials, one a ubiquitous politician and another a careerist board official, are looking to step into Modi's shoes, both trying to muster political support.

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After a crucial meeting between former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar and his successor Shashank Manohar here Tuesday afternoon, both were guarded in saying that a "collective and unanimous" decision would be taken at the meeting of the IPL Governing Council meeting in Mumbai and that will be in the interest of "Indian cricket, cricket-loving public and players, including up and coming players".

Manohar is believed to have impressed upon Pawar that there is likely to be enormous damage to BCCI if Modi is not reined in. Some other board members also are concerned about the loss of BCCI's goodwill if the charges of corruption and financial embezzlement are thrown at it.

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Modi came back to Mumbai from Dubai on Tuesday after attending the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting as India's alternate director on behalf of BCCI president.

Now that the decision has been left to the Governing Council, Modi may not go over to Delhi to meet Pawar and Manohar Tuesday night and instead concentrate on the conduct of the semi-finals, third place game and the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

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Cricket observers are attaching more importance to the meeting between Pawar and his cabinet colleagues, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P Chidambaram, as they would have discussed the political ramifications of the controversy and Modi's role in the whole affair.

The beleaguered Modi received unabashed praise from Vijay Mallya, owner of IPL franchise Bangalore Royal Challengers, who said there is no need to replace the architect of the IPL as its commissioner. And Modi was quick to tweet thanks for the gesture.

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"Why should he be replaced, unless he has exceeded his brief or failed with something to do with IPL? As far as the IPL is concerned Modi has done a fabulous job," said Mallya.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah echoed similar views.

"Why should he go? We have to see. There is a meeting on (April) 26th. Let's see what the charges are and what his replies are. We can't become judges," Abdullah said.

After Mallya and Abdullah's backing of Modi, a couple of other board members have whispered their support for him.

A senior board official said much will depend on Modi's attitude and behaviour when he faces charges at the Governing Council meeting because he is given to rash and unexpected outbursts when things do not go his way.

"The next one week is crucial for Modi and Indian cricket. We all want him to handle the IPL, but he should mend his ways. He should be amenable to reason and shouldn't treat the board members like his corporate staff," the official told IANS not wanting to be named.

"Indian board cannot afford to have this periodic public scrutiny arising out of unsubstantiated charges and innuendos. The IPL has created such a terrific impact and when everything was going smoothly, the sudden controversy over the ownership of one franchise has triggered this needless controversy," said the secretary of a state association.