Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi wants to postpone next week's meeting of the governing council regarding the corruption allegations surrounding the new Kochi team, according to a news report. The Press Trust of India news agency reported Wednesday that Modi was questioning the legality of the meeting on the basis that only he can convene it as the IPL commissioner. Modi could not be immediately reached for comment. Tuesday, ICC vice president Sharad Pawar announced a meeting of the IPL governing council for next Monday, one week after India junior foreign minister Shashi Tharoor quit following claims he was secretly given a quarter share of the Kochi franchise. Last month, Tharoor helped to put together a group of investors who paid more than $330 million to bring a team to Kochi, Kerala state, part of which he represents in Parliament. A controversy erupted after Modi questioned why a 25 percent share in the franchise was given to a group that included a friend of Tharoor's. It was alleged the friend's shares were really intended as a hidden gift to Tharoor. Meanwhile, income tax officials Wednesday visited the offices of the Kolkata Knight Riders in Calcutta and the India Cements, the owner of the Chennai Super Kings, in Chennai to investigate any financial irregularities. Red Chillies Entertainment, one of the owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders, belongs to Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla. This week, India Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said income tax authorities were investigating the sources and channels of funding of the team owners. “No guilty (party) or wrongdoer will be spared,” Mukherjee said. Tax raids were also conducted on the Mumbai offices of Multi Screen Media and World Sports Group, the two companies handling the IPL's television rights. The Directorate of Enforcement, an investigative wing of the finance ministry, has registered a case against the IPL for possible violations of foreign exchange rules and regulations. The income tax department has summoned IPL officials Friday to hand over all tournament paperwork, including details on television rights, sponsorships and deals with franchises and players. Angry officials of the BCCI have blamed Modi for the controversy and sought his removal. Mumbai in final Favorites MumbaiIndians crushed Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs in the semifinals to storm into the final of the Indian Premier League in Mumbai Wednesday. Mumbai will meet the winner of the semifinal between Deccan chargers and Chennai Super Kings. The win sealed Mumbai its qualification for the Champions League Twenty20 to be held in September. Everything changed in the last five overs of the Mumbai innings. From 107-4 Tiwary Pollard propelled Mumbai to 184 for 5. Scores: MumbaiIndians 184-5 (Tiwary 52*, Rayudu 40, Pollard 33*). Royal Challengers Bangalore149 for 9 (Taylor 31*, Pollard 3
