It is presumably fashionable these days for a celebrity, or even an aspiring celebrity, to circulate a rumour that his or her life is in danger. It makes news for awhile, that is, till nothing happens to the individual who one thinks is living in fear but in reality is enjoying the attention and the concern. A vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Lalit Modi, is better known as the guiding spirit behind the Indian Premier League (IPL) and accepted as a marketing wizard. In keeping with his sense of importance, it is probably understandable that people close to him fear for his life.

While one cannot understand why anyone would want Modi put away (except of course any political opponent) he would be enjoying what is known as Z plus security in South Africa. It can be inhibiting and a curb on personal freedom to have every move and movement scrutinised. But there must be satisfaction in hearing other people talk about the seriousness of the threat. Modi is assured that till he is in South Africa he will be guarded like the crown jewels, and with the IPL a guaranteed success, the man’s stock must be rising every moment.  The BCCI is aware that Modi holds the aces and is willing to back him to the hilt.

One, however, cannot remember if any cricket administrator before this has faced a potential threat to his life. Or, maybe administrators in the past did not because they were not wheeling and dealing in the manner modern ones are inclined to do. In the matter of wheeling and dealing, it is accepted even within the BCCI that Modi is in a class of his own. He knows where the money is and how to get it for the BCCI. There is every possibility that he would be man to reckon with in the organisation of the Indian leg of the World Cup in 2011. Moreover, with Pakistan barred from staging any of the matches because of the uncertain security situation in that country, the other three Asian countries would have more matches to stage. And if Sri Lanka and Bangladesh want the man to oversee their side of the operations, he could become a more significant force than Jagmohan Dalmiya was.

Does such a remarkable individual, with the capacity to replenish the BCCI’s coffers at the drop of a hat not deserve the maximum security? His admirers would state he does while his detractors would be of the view that the whole business of his security is just good publicity and boosts his image as the one who matters in the BCCI. He could even upstage the so-called stars of Indian cricket!