Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi on Wednesday blasted Ricky Ponting on Wednesday after reports suggested that the Aussie captain was advising his compatriots to shun IPL-3. "I have been told Ponting is telling players not to come to India. Maybe its due to the fact that he was dropped from KKR," Modi wrote on his Twitter page, reports TImes of India.
Modi recalled that most Aussie players had taken part in the first two seasons of the IPL only during the end of the tournament. "This year too, they are due to play in the last two weeks only and it doesn't make much of a difference if they don't show up at all," Modi wrote.
Speaking to TOI, Modi was critical of what Ponting did during a meeting held at a Sydney hotel, where the players were briefed by the association on security. "Some of these players and their associations can't dictate terms like this. Where is the issue of security when some big sporting events are already in progress in India and some more important ones are round the corner," Modi said.
"South Africa is currently touring India and the hockey World Cup is about to start. There is absolutely no reason to worry. I have updated all the cricket board on security arrangements for the IPL and they are all satisfied," Modi added.
The IPL chairman also praised the Indian government for its role in securing sporting events in the country presently. "The government has gone out of its way to help the IPL. We have been given ample assurance. The players association in Australia and some other countries want us to share security plans with them but they should know that police can't give such details to bodies we don't recognise. It's a sensitive matter after all," Modi said.
"Those foreign players who are supposed to come have already been updated on the arrangements and so, there is nothing to worry. If a few players play into the hands of the players' association and don't show up, there is no issue. In any case, we allow only four international players in the playing eleven. In their absence, there is great talent in every team. This will be an opportunity for the young ones," Modi felt.
