Given that the IPL franchisees were picked through a closed bidding process and the local revenue generated from IPL matches is split between the franchisees and the BCCI’s state cricket associations, don’t such links create a potential conflict of interest? Says BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah: “The bidding process was completely clean. There’s no question of any conflict of interest.

There is no problem if franchisees have close ties in the governing council.”

Then there are other lesser-known family ties:

• Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag’s brother Vinod is a manager with the team.

• Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan’s son Steve is the same team’s strength-trainer.

• Hyderabad Cricket Association Secretary Shivlal Yadav’s son Arjun Yadav plays for Deccan Chargers. Arjun Yadav is a regular fixture in the Hyderabad Ranji team.

• Chennai Super Kings brand ambassador Kris Srikkanth’s son Aniruddha Srikkanth plays for Chennai. Much like his father, Aniruddha is an attacking opening batsman who made his first-class debut in the 2003-04 season as a 16-year-old.