MUMBAI: For the last six-odd months, it was suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi who had been facing the music with regards to various controversies related to the tournament. Now, it seems, the heat is on BCCI secretary-cum-Chennai Super Kings franchise owner N Srinivasan.
A leaked email shows Srinivasan trying to 'fix' the 2009 player auction held in Goa. An email exchange between Modi and Srinivasan has the former explaining to the Board secretary that he has managed to convince Rajasthan Royals not to go for Flintoff in the bidding.
"What a nightmare to convince them not to terminate (Sohail) Tanveer and also not to take Flintoff. (Shane) Warne went of (sic) the handle. But have managed it by using stick and carrot strategy. Thus they have 1.875 only. Much love Lalit," writes the suspended IPL commissioner.
In reply, Srinivasan says: "Thanks. You are most sweet. Srini."
The email exchange does not indicate in any way that Srinivasan wrote to Modi asking for Flintoff to be kept aside during the bidding. However, it is being alleged that it was the Board secretary who specifically made the request.
Sources close to Srinivasan are fuming over the leak with one official in particular terming the leaked email as "fabricated." What is funny is that Modi and Srinivasan, who have been at loggerheads for quite some time now, use words like 'love' and 'sweet' while obliging each other in these exchanges. It also includes Modi explaining to Srinivasan in detail the slots and money left with each franchise to use in the auction.
Over the last couple of weeks, there have been systematic email leaks against the Board secretary. In the last seven days alone, Srinivasan has been accused of 'fixing' umpires for Chennai Super Kings matches, interfering in the IPL franchise bidding and now the player auctions too.
The BCCI is certainly miffed while Srinivasan says he doesn't want to give these "false allegations" any credit by commenting on them.
