However, even as Modi later stressed on the need for Eden’s administrators to pull up their socks as far as spectator arrangements are concerned, a huge question mark hangs over how much the CAB will be able sort things out as per plans.

The bidding of players for the eight teams is slated for February 20 at a gala function at Mumbai, where Kolkata’s stake will be spearheaded by not just SRK, Juhi Chawla and Red Chillies representatives, but also by Ganguly himself, now that he is playing a significant role in forming the team.

However, even as Modi & Co went about a recce of Eden Gardens, the stadium’s long pending lease from the Army has become a thorn in the CAB’s flesh.

Eden’s seating arrangements for the general spectators has always been suspect, and it’s no wonder that Modi stressed on the need to improve the facilities for the crowd. “There can be no question about Eden. It’s the Mecca of cricket. But we have in mind certain improvements and recommendations that need to be worked out slowly in a phased manner. Those include the toilets for the spectators and the overall seating arrangements, among other things. Public comfort is the main focus,” the BCCI vice-president said.

For CAB, the problem is that it can’t yet get started on revamping the current concrete seating arrangements, since the Eden is Army-owned and the Army is yet to renew the CAB’s lease.

Eden’s lease expired last summer, and the renewal has been pending ever since, and indications are clear that the matter will drag on for long. As long as the CAB fails to get the lease renewed, the Army won’t grant the CAB permission to carry out infrastructure work at the stadium.

Refusing to divulge if Ganguly was indeed the Kolkata team’s skipper, Modi rolled the ball in Red Chillies’ court. “It’s up to the franchisee to decide that. Let me clarify, the Board is not hosting these matches. It’s all being organised by the franchisees themselves. We are only acting as facilitators,” he said.