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ShareMumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) ruled out confrontation over the expansion plan but stuck to their stated positions over the roadmap for the league, post IPL III.
A day after stating that the final decision on the expansion will be made by the BCCI and not the IPL Governing Council, an authoritative BCCI official reiterated the 'Board position' but added that the decision will be taken in consultation with the council.
"It will be a decision by the BCCI and the IPL governing council," the top Board official said without elaborating. He, however, maintained that the decisions taken at Bangkok meet needed approval of the BCCI.
A senior IPL official also ruled out differences with the Board but maintained that the expansion is the prerogative of the council. "There are no differences," he maintained adding that council's decision will be final on the matter.
A meeting of the franchisees, held recently in Bangkok, gave a go-ahead to the expansion plans with seven out of eight approving it.
The differences, it is learnt, are about retaining the marquee players. IPL sources say the majority franchisees agreed to dismantle the present team combinations post IPL III and go for fresh auction. "Every player will be available for every team. There will be an auction and the players will have to be auctioned afresh," said the IPL official.
The lone dissenting voice, as reported by this paper, was from Chennai Super Kings. What exactly is Chennai's objection could not be ascertained but sources say the franchisee wants some kind of continuation to the present structure rather than throwing open all the players for a fresh auction.
There are speculations that the Board may call a meeting over the issue but that could not be immediately confirmed.
Meanwhile, there are conflicting reports over the availability of Pakistan players. Reports
from across the border have said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has granted NoCs to its players to take part in the league but neither IPL nor BCCI officials were aware of it.
"It's up to their board and the government. We can't wait any longer. That's why we have put November 20 as the deadline," said an IPL official.
According to a report Abdul Razzaq said that the PCB had issued NOCs to players. "Yes the PCB has given us NOCs. Hopefully this time we will be able to take part in the league in India," Razzaq said. An agency report from Delhi said there will not be any visa problems for the Pakistan players.
