The Indian Premier League Governing Council, it seems, has suddenly become a democratic set up with Lalit Modi’s exit as chairman.
Even though it was not on the agenda when 11 of the 14 GC members met on Monday at the Cricket Centre, the BCCI headquarters, it was decided to appoint a committee consisting of all the three former skippers on the governing council to take care of cricketing matters pertaining to IPL-IV.
The team owners may welcome the appointment of Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and MAK Pataudi, to deal with the 10 franchises ahead of the next edition. However, doubts were raised by some teams over the BCCI’s ability to manage the IPL without Modi.
Board President Shashank Manohar said the troika will play a key role in arriving at a consensus about the number of players the existing eight franchises will be allowed to retain.
“We have taken a decision where the committee appointed Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and MAK Pataudi to discuss and decide with regard to the modalities of withholding three foreign cricketers and four Indian players after discussing the issue with the franchises. They were also asked to come back to the Board so that a final decision in that regard could be taken,” Manohar said.
While some of the existing team owners have stressed on the need to retain three overseas and four Indian players, while the two new teams have asked for more options ahead of the next year’s auction. The new teams feel that if original eight are allowed to withhold more than one foreigner and two Indian cricketers, it will not be a fair auction for them.
{{/usCountry}}While some of the existing team owners have stressed on the need to retain three overseas and four Indian players, while the two new teams have asked for more options ahead of the next year’s auction. The new teams feel that if original eight are allowed to withhold more than one foreigner and two Indian cricketers, it will not be a fair auction for them.
{{/usCountry}}With the three former skippers stepping in to resolve the impasse, the board and the teams will be hoping for a conclusive and fair resolution when the Governing Council meets.