Mumbai: In an attempt to get back the IPL final on June 1, the Mumbai Cricket Association today agreed to all the terms and conditions laid down by IPL Chairman Ranjib Biswal, including temporarily lifting the ban on superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
“We had received letter from IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal dated May 13, and there were as many as 14 conditions. We have decided to accept all the conditions because the President (Sharad Pawar) desired that the match should be played in Mumbai only and we hope that our decision will change the heart of the governing council and the match will be played in Mumbai,” MCA vice-president Ravi Savant told reporters here.
Without naming Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri, Savant also hinted that these players would support MCA's bid to get the final back.
“There are also Mumbai players who are part of the IPL governing council, who should support us and we hope they will definitely support us,” Savant added.
One of the conditions put forth by Indian Premier League Chairman Ranjib Biswal to MCA, was to allow entry to all franchise owners and officials for hosting the finals.
Shah Rukh was banned for five years from entering MCA premises, including the Wankhede Stadium, by the Association's managing committee, headed by the late Vilasrao Deshmukh after he was allegedly involved in an ugly skirmish with security staff and officials of the cricket body after his team's victory over Mumbai Indians.
However, Savant clarified that the Kolkata Knight Riders principal-owner would be allowed only for IPL final.
“They have given us letter for only this game (IPL final). All the conditions are for this game,” he said.
Speaking to reporters today, BCCI interim President for IPL related matters Sunil Gavaskar said, “We have not decided anything on the final. We are awaiting MCA's reply. Once we get their letter, we will have an IPL Governing Council meeting and a final call will be taken after that.”
