Modi pooh-poohs reports of throwing him out of IPL

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi pooh-poohed reports circulating in a section of the media that he is being eased out of the cricket's biggest money-spinner.

Talking to IANS from Germany, Modi said there was no truth in 'these planted stories' as he was appointed by the cricket board's general body for five years to run the IPL.

'Also, there's no truth in the report that the post of IPL commissioner is being abolished,' he insisted.

IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah, too, indignantly refuted the so-called move, saying that someone was trying to play a prank and the media fell hook, line and sinker for the bait. 'How can anyone believe such trash without giving it a thought?' he shot back.

Another senior board official, not wanting to be dragged into the unsavoury controversy nor wishing to be identified, told IANS that there was not even discussion on the subject at any of the recent board meetings.

'Yes, some months ago, there was some loud thinking whether the chairman and commissioner's posts be delinked but there was no serious discussion. One suggestion was that the board president should be the IPL chairman,' said the board insider.

The official said that someone tried to link the development with the recent Rajasthan Cricket Association election, in which Modi was defeated by union Rural Development Minister C.P.Joshi.

Modi worked out the modalities of IPL during the tenure of Sharad Pawar and it became a huge commercial success.

He is also the chairman of the Champions League that draws the best Twenty20 teams of the cricketing world.