Modi refuses to budge after Buchanan appeal

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Durban: IPL boss Lalit Modi has said a firm no to the idea of increasing the number of foreign players in a playing eleven from the four that is currently the norm. So it seems that for now some of the best players in the world will have to just warm the bench!

Another day and another game out of the eleven, it's only after his retirement that Glenn McGrath has learnt what it's like to be in a squad but not in a team!

And what about Mashrafe Mortaza? As the Knight Riders have floundered the man they paid so much cash to get, he hasn't done more than bowl in the nets and watch in desperation.

In fact it was his under-fire coach who mooted the idea of letting an extra foreigner play, but Buchanan has hit a brick wall called Lalit Modi.

"There is already a rule by the Governing Council that there will be four players and that's the way it will stay," said Modi.

But in this one Buchanan has had some support. For instance, Delhi couldn't give their English recruits Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah a game in the two weeks they were in South Africa.

Kolkata have had to bench not just Mortaza but even their mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis as they look for batting strength.

But the IPL isn't conceding an inch. And isn't even willing to let more than four foreigners on the field at one time. Even a substitute fielder too can only be a foreigner only if he is replacing one!

"There is a new rule. Every team needs to have two people for the 12th man's position, one Indian and one foreign. If a foreign players is injured he can be replaced with either of the 12th man but in case an Indian player is down, only the Indian 12th man can replace him," explained Modi.

With the likes of Shadab Jakati and Naman Ojha making a case for domestic talent, IPL bosses seem to have got this one right. After all, this is the Indian Premier league.