Shastri asked to help government inquiry into IPL finances

Ravi Shastri, a member of the IPL Governing Council, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to help with their probe into the alleged financial irregularities in the running of the tournament during its first three seasons.

"It's a routine thing", Shastri told AFP at Lord's, where he is part of the commentary team for the first Test between England and India. "Everyone who was on on the Governing Council has been asked to help with this inquiry."

The IPL was thrown into controversy during its third season when then chairman Lalit Modi was sacked for alleged financial irregularities relating to, among others, the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. Modi left for England shortly after his removal, citing threats on his life, and refused to return to India to appear before the ED. Consequently, his passport was revoked after the ED wrote to India's foreign affairs ministry.

Reports indicate Shastri will have to return to Mumbai sometime next week to meet ED officials. Shastri and former India batsman Mohinder Amarnath are the only two cricketers on the IPL Governing Council, which is headed by BCCI vice-president Chirayu Amin.