No difference of opinion in BCCI: Lalit Modi

DHARAMSALA - Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi, in the thick of controversy over the Kochi IPL franchise, Friday said there was “no difference of opinion” among the members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“There is no difference of opinion among the BCCI members. The IPL matches would continue and we would provide each and every information that is required by the government,” he told reporters after landing at the Gaggal airport near here to see the IPL match later Friday between Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers.

The income tax department Thursday started a probe to ascertain the source of funds of various franchisees of the Indian Premier League (IPL). IT department officials visited the offices of IPL in Mumbai and also questioned Modi on the IPL funding late in the night. It was described as routine enquiry.

The move comes a day after the department initiated a probe into the Kochi franchisee of IPL, embroiled in a major controversy over the ownership issue, to ascertain if its money had been channelled illegally from tax havens abroad.

Modi declined to take questions on the Kochi controversy and the special meeting called by the BCCI at Dharamsala.

“We are here to witness the match,” he said.

Around 20,000 cricket fans are expected to witness the match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium, about 250 km from Shimla, between Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers Friday evening. It would be a day and night match.

The second match in this stadium, which will be played during the day, will be between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab April 18.

The stadium located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet is the highest cricket ground to host IPL matches.