‘Sydney furore may jeopardise Aussie chances in IPL’

The image crisis that has hit the Australians post-Sydney furore may jeopardise their chances of playing in IPL.

The image crisis that has hit the Australians post-Sydney furore may jeopardise their chances of playing in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) as the BCCI-backed tourney’s franchise owners are not too keen on signing them due to a ‘dramatic’ decline in their popularity in India.

BCCI Vice-President lalit Modi has warned that there will be Australian ‘casualties’ when IPL franchise owners start recruiting players as the world champions’ reputation has taken a severe beating in the ugly episode in Sydney.

Modi said Australian cricketers’ popularity has gone down ‘dramatically’ in India and that has made franchise owners a bit apprehensive about having them on board.

Story continues below this ad

“We sincerely hope there is no impact (on their involvement in the IPL). It will be for the team owners to decide. But there definitely will be some casualties from the feedback we are getting,” Modi told The Age.

Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds have all signed expressions of interest for the lucrative league, where they can earn anything between USD 300,000 and USD 500,000.

Modi also hinted that India may revise its Test program with Australia in its effort to accommodate more teams in its playing schedule.

“Other nations who we play less with currently want to increase the number of matches we play with them,” Modi said.

Story continues below this ad

“We will need to balance this in the Future Tours Program. We cannot increase the number of games India plays in total. So we will have to play less with some and more with others,” he added.

Modi, however, maintained that the BCCI would abide by ICC regulations and rubbished suggestions that the Indian board was flexing its financial muscle to get things done.

“No one country can run the game. We have to all collectively run the game. Unlike in the past, the future for cricket will be best served if all have a voice,” he said.

“The BCCI definitely respects the ICC. It has a big role to play and will continue to be good for the game,” he added.