Modi reveals BCCIs strategy to scuttle ICL

Following a year of sporadic interviews and stray comments,Lalit Modi has finally broken his prolonged silence on his former employers,the BCCI.

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Following a year of sporadic interviews and stray comments,Lalit Modi has finally broken his prolonged silence on his former employers,the BCCI. The once blue-eyed boy has threatened to damage the reputation of the Indian board by revealing exactly what it took for him,and other board officials to turn the fortunes of the Indian Cricket League into dust.

Posting all through Monday on Twitter,the former IPL commisioner explained just how media baron Subhash Chandras brainchild was a direct threat to the BCCI one that had to be taken down by using every dirty trick in the book. While a top BCCI official told The Indian Express that the board will not react to baseless tweets,Modi has promised on the social forum that the mud-slinging has just begun. Here is a look at his most damaging tweets of the day:

On fearing the ICL competition

Yes,we were afraid of Subhash Chandras clout in the media and ability to take over the world of cricket. Internally,we knew he would do a better job.

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When I was at BCCI,the mandate given then was to scuttle ICL. BCCI arm-twisted every cricket board and ICC to change there constitution. The constitution of every board was changed and ICC made ICL redundant by its act – by making it unauthorised cricket.

On threatening ICLs players,advertisers

We as BCCI called all and sundry to oppose ICL. Cricket associations were told not to give their grounds or fear losing matches,advertisers were called and told if you advertise on ICL then you will be barred by the BCCI. In effect,BCCI did what was necessary to finish ICL.

Players were told do not play for ICL or we will blacklist you. This then the BCCI had to implement through change of constitution. BCCI even terminated Zee Sports contract unfairly as they had launched ICL and BCCI wanted a window for IPL.

The final straw was to offer ICL players an amnesty scheme so that they would desert ICL and join IPL.

On drafting the anti-ICL constitution

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BCCI then called every member of the ICC to ensure that they all help in changing the ICC constitution to outlaw ICL. ICC set up a three member committee with me,Giles Clarke (ECB) and Norman Arendse (CSA) to draft the new constitution.

It was approved and implemented with lightning speed by BCCI. Result – demise of ICL.

On being apologetic for his actions

Yes I was part of the BCCI when we scuttled ICL. But I have no personal issues with ICL. Im of the opinion that more competition in the game is good for the game and its players.

Yes I admit it was a mistake to have systematically used everything in BCCIs arsenal to finish ICL. (But) I have always done whats required by any organization I have worked with. I guess I do my job well. Thats why I give results.

On breaking his silence

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I always said I will reveal everything one day. So what better day to start than today.