'All the franchises miss Lalit Modi' - Ness Wadia
Ness Wadia, one of the co-owners of the Kings XI Punjab, accused the media of sentencing suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi without a trial and expressed his desire to see Modi back at the helm
Cricinfo staff
24-Jun-2010
Ness Wadia, a co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab, says the franchise has applied to the BCCI to sell a stake in the team • Getty Images
Bombay Dyeing's Ness Wadia, one of the co-owners of the Kings XI Punjab, accused the media of sentencing suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi without a trial and expressed his desire to see Modi back at the helm.
"We miss Lalit Modi," Wadia told reporters after the franchise owners' meeting with the BCCI. "All the franchisees miss him and I think he was hung without a trial by the media. It was different [when Modi was the face of IPL]. We have been together for the last three years. He's also a family friend.
"I hope he gets a fair trial. Hopefully things will work out and he will be back soon. Hopefully he would get a fair trial from the government of India and the BCCI."
Modi was suspended on charges of financial irregularities related to the bidding process for IPL franchises, mid-over ads and theatrical rights, among others. His case is expected to be decided at the BCCI's special General Body meeting on July 3.
Wadia also confirmed reports that the franchise has applied for permission to sell a stake in the team. "We are here to do business. We have met a lot of people and the day we get a good buyer we will announce it," he said. "We have applied [to the BCCI] to sell it. It was a unanimous decision of all the owners." The franchise is co-owned by Preity Zinta, Mohit Burman, Gaurav Burman and Karan Paul, in addition to Wadia.
According to PTI, the board will decide on the franchise's sale application at tomorrow's IPL governing council meeting.