Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi faced an uncertain future yesterday after the government launched a probe into the financial dealings of the money-spinning cricket tournament.
The tax investigation began after revelations by Modi led to the resignation of a government minister and claims from the opposition that the league was a front for money laundering and illegal betting.
Top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL, are believed to blame Modi, 46, for attracting the taxman to their door and many want him to quit as IPL commissioner.
Modi, the driving force behind the success of the IPL, which has seen its brand value surge to US$4.1 billion in just three years, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“Lots in media — speculations,” Modi wrote on his Twitter page from Dubai where he is representing the BCCI at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting.
“Welcome all investigation. Ready to extend all cooperation,” he said.
The IPL features the world’s top cricketers playing a shortened format of the game known as Twenty20. There are eight franchises owned by wealthy Indian businessmen and film stars.
There was growing speculation that Modi will quit before a meeting of the 14-member IPL governing council in Mumbai next week, but BCCI officials cautioned against jumping the gun.
“Look, there is a lot of anger that Modi has put us in such a mess,” a senior BCCI official said. “The board has never faced such embarrassment.”
“But the general opinion is to give Modi a chance to explain his side of the story ... if he wants to that is,” he said.
Indian Federal minister Sharad Pawar, a former Indian cricket chief who takes over as ICC president in June, was confident the IPL’s governing council would resolve the matter.
“They will take a collective, unanimous decision and give future direction to Indian cricket,” said Pawar, who himself is not part of the IPL set-up.
“The total effort will be to protect the interests of Indian cricket, the cricket-loving public and the players,” he said.
The income-tax department has summoned IPL officials to hand over all tournament paperwork by Friday, including details on television rights, sponsorships and deals with franchises and players.
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
Team Taiwan are set to face Spain in a win-or-go-home match tonight for the final berth at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), despite losing to Nicaragua 6-0 in the WBC qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Sunday. The home team’s loss on Sunday means Nicaragua finish first in the qualifier round in Taipei with a perfect 3-0 record and advances to next year’s finals. After crushing South Africa 9-1 earlier on Sunday, Spain took second place in the four-team qualifier with a 2-1 record. With a 1-2 record, Taiwan finished third while South Africa placed at the bottom with
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is considering reducing its pitch clock by two seconds to help players better adjust to the rules applied at the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The proposal aims to shorten the pitch timer from 25 seconds to 23 seconds with the bases empty, and from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base. Currently, the WBC mandates that pitchers deliver a pitch every 18 seconds with the bases empty and 15 seconds with runners on base. The issue was raised during a pre-season CPBL managers’ meeting on Tuesday by Rakuten Monkeys bench and batting
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