The much talked about Corporate Trophy – involving 12 teams – was launched on Tuesday at four grounds across the country. Off the field, another corporate war is brewing up in the Indian Board circle.
The corporate involving eight franchisees of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the top honchos are fighting a different battle. The IMG issue (termination of its contract) is turning into a mega-power struggle in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The key players are secretary N Srinivasan and IPL chairman Lalit Modi.
One could get a peep into the strengths and weaknesses of the players on Wednesday when the governing council of the IPL will meet. Everyone, including Srinivasan, Modi and the franchisees, will be present. The meeting is to discuss a compensation package for the franchisees but the discussion on the IMG issue is set to take the centre-stage.
What could be the clinching factor in the muddle is the role of Sharad Pawar. The former BCCI president has sided with the franchisees. “I’m very disturbed to hear the termination of the IMG contract by the secretary. I always believed that the Board believes in continuity and undoing what was done consciously and in the best interest of Indian cricket is neither desirable nor appropriate.”
Pawar is expected to discuss the issue with Shashank Manohar and Srinivasan on the sidelines of Central Organising Committee meeting of the 2011 World Cup on Wednesday. He will attend the meeting as its chairman. Sony TV, the media partners of the IPL, has also warned the BCCI. In its letter, Sony said: “With IPL III only a few months away, we believe it would be injudicious to experiment with a new agency at this critical juncture.”
IMG replied to BCCI’s termination saying, “You have not provided any grounds for such termination…we reserve all of our rights and remedies at law under and in respect of the contract.” A board official said the issue can be resolved if IMG comes up with an alternative proposal. “It is not a war. We can resolve the matter amicably.” Another official said the whole issue is an ego battle between Srinivasan and Modi. Modi and Srinivasan refused to comment on the issue.
BCCI president Manohar maintained that any decision with regard to the deal can only be made at the AGM on September 24. On Wednesday one could get to know what might happen on September 24.
