IPL: The Octopus Spreads Its Tentacles to South Africa

Cricket South Africa (CSA) reminded us that the tentacles of the IPL mess are not restricted to just Indian and English shores.

CSA have terminated an external investigation into the bonuses paid by Lalit Modi to CSA chief executive Gerald Majola and 40 other staff during the IPL’s second season.

The IPL was moved to South Africa in 2009 following the Indian government’s refusal to provide adequate security for the event.  This was because the security apparatus of the state could not be stretched to provide security for the IPL and the Indian general election at the same time.

4.7 million rands were paid to Majola and his associates.

The South African opposition has slammed the switch to an internal investigation as "disappointing."

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India is known to be investigating the payment, as apparently there was no tax paid on the foreign exchange transfers.

Meanwhile, Lalit Modi’s troubles continue.

The ex-honcho has until October 28 to answer the show-cause notice by the ED.

The Ministry of External Affairs retain the right to revoke his passport.

This sheds light on Modi’s reported attempts to gain residency in either Iceland or Panama.

Down Under, Cricket Australia is close to finalizing a deal for a huge Twenty-Twenty competition.

This will be modeled on the IPL, and it is considered a revolution that will match Kerry Packer’s circus of the 1970s.

The IPL has other cricketing boards plunging into T20 tourneys with a vengeance.

Kerry Packer introduced the world to pyjama cricket, ODIs and big money. Cricket has never been the same since.

Recall that the IPL was finalized only after the Indian Cricket League (ICL) beat Lalit Modi to the gun. The ICL could never take off because of the steadfast opposition from the BCCI.

ICL players were banned succumbing to pressure from the Indian body.

The now defunct ICL was funded by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and had former cricketers Kapil Dev,Tony Greig, Dean Jones and Kiran More on its board.

The fate of the Kochi franchise is yet to be decided.

The Rendezvous group have sent a strongly worded reply to the other investors through their solicitors requesting the details of their proposal to the board.

This is indeed a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth!

" Quote of the day: Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself—A. H. Weiler "