Pressure on Modi as Indian Government probes IPL

Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi is likely to quit after the tournament final this weekend, following an Indian Government probe into the funding of the competition.

According to press reports, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar will meet Sharad Pawar, Head of the Nationalist Congress Party, to discuss ousting Modi with Manohar himself taking over as IPL chairman.

An unnamed BCCI official said Modi would be "knocked out" of his position as Chairman of IPL, but would continue as the Vice-President of BCCI in his capacity as the Vice-President of the Punjab Cricket Association.

The Indian Government is investigating the funding and operation of the tournament after a minister quit over allegations he influenced the awarding of a franchise. Junior Foreign Minister Shashi Tharoor resigned this week after opposition claims he benefitted from free shares given to a friend by Rendezvous Sports World, which heads the group that won bidding for the IPL team in southern Kerala state with a US$333 million offer.

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated "all aspects including sources of funding and routes through which the funds arrived would be looked into. Appropriate action as per law would be taken. No guilty or wrong-doer will be spared."

Modi denies any allegations of funding irregularities and this week tweeted: âLots in media-speculations. welcome all investigation-ready to extend all cooperation."

30th September 2008 - IPL FIRST YEAR FIGURES ANNOUNCED

20th February 2008 - INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE FRANCHISES ANNOUNCED