News the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals can participate in the Indian Premier League, starting April 17, has brought a mixed reaction from the cricket community.
Former IPL boss Lalit Modi labelled cricket "the new WWF" as a result, a reference to the contrived nature of the old WorldWrestling Federation. It follows India's Supreme Court order for the country's cricket boss Narayanaswami Srinivasan to step aside until an investigation into IPL corruption is complete. Srinivasan owns CSK. Srinivasan's son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, was indicted last month on charges of betting and passing on information to illegal bookmakers.
The court appointed former test captain Sunil Gavaskar as temporary BCCI president for the duration of the IPL, a tournament whose credibility is under threat.
In contrast to Modi, CSK coach and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is "relieved" his side will be involved. He thought they had "a 50:50 chance at best" during the week. Fleming is one of four New Zealanders, along with Brendon McCullum, Matt Henry and Tim Southee, directly affected by the Supreme Court outcome.
The two teams are being investigated as part of an illegal betting and match-fixing probe. None of the New Zealanders are implicated in the investigation. Chennai have reached the last four finals, winning in 2010 and 2011. Rajasthan won the original IPL in 2008.
Judges examined a report commissioned into spot-fixing in last year's tournament and recommended Srinivasan resign so a fair inquiry could be carried out. The court did not penalise any teams or players as part of the judgment.
The Herald on Sunday spoke to Modi who didn't wish to comment until further information came to hand. However, he tweeted: "Till the war is won - enjoy the new WWF in sports called cricket. As no one in cricket seems to have agenda to rid the menace of fixing".
He also had some advice to his old nemesis: "Hats off to N. Srinivasan. He is like a cat with 9 lives. He surely won the battle today. But, my friend, keep in mind the war is very much on."
Fleming was more circumspect as CSK coach: "From a cricketing point of view that's fine but obviously there are a number of political issues which still need dealing with. Watching it play out from afar makes you realise powerful forces are at work.
"We [Fleming and Srinivasan] work on a fairly superficial level. We catch up here and there to assess how the team is performing; he has a good cricket brain and a deep love of the game."
Fleming described the exit of Srinivasan's son-in-law, part of the CSK management team last year, as a "delicate situation".
"Since the revelations last year we've had little contact. Obviously it all came as a shock."
The Supreme Court reconvenes on April 16 to continue its investigation.
