This comes in the wake of Cricket Australia dilly-dallying over giving a ‘go ahead’ to their players joining the IPL because of a possible conflict of rival sponsors. CA is keen to protect its sponsors and wants to avoid a situation where their contracted players turn up for a team bearing competitors’ branding.

At the end of the first day of the interaction between franchisees and the IPL governing board, Modi said: “We have not taken any decision yet, but the IPL governing council has the mandate to decide on whether to take away the clause that presently makes the ‘no objection certificate’ from boards mandatory.”

Not just that, Modi also added that even the clause regarding the cooling period — the early IPL draft stipulated a retired player to stay away from the league for two years — too might be dropped.

In case the IPL governing body actually goes ahead and makes these amendments, it will mean that a present day player can play the city-based tournament despite objections by his home association.

Technically, this means that in case a present day Australian player prefers to play for the IPL and opts out of the tour to Pakistan -- IPL and the Australia’s away series against Pakistan are coinciding — CA wouldn’t have a say in the matter. His future as an international cricket turning up for Australia might be in doubt, though.

Ironically, this will also mean that IPL — which was launched with the blessing of ICC — might see a rift between national associations under the umbrella of the parent body. The official Indian league might see the presence of rebel players.

Though Modi played it safe as he said, “We don’t know whether we will implement it, but we have the mandate to amend the rules.”

Final in Mumbai

•Mumbai frachisees Reliance India Ltd of Mukesh Ambani will host two semi-finals and the final of the IPL that will kick off in Bangalore on April 18.

But this comes with a rider. In case Mumbai fails to reach the semis, interested franchisees can negotiate with Reliance for a shift of venue.

Mumbai got the right to host the final stage of tournament since they were the highest bidders — $ 111.9 million — among the franchisees.

Bangalore got the right to host the opening game of the tournament — Kolkata vs Bangalore — since they were the second highest bidder. Vijay Mallya’s UB Group got the Bangalore franchise for $ 111.6 million.

IPL chairman Modi said that Reliance will have the option of hosting its home games and later the semis and finals at the Cricket Club of India or the D Y Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai.

“I guess they will choose CCI,” he said.