The IPL faces another storm after an alleged exchange of e-mails between Lalit Modi and N Srinivasan was exposed.

In what appears to be an attempt to fix England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s auction last year, suspended IPL commissioner, Modi may have influenced Rajasthan Royals not to bid for Flintoff.

Modi in an e-mail to Chennai Super Kings owner and BCCI official, N Srinivasan wrote: “What a nightmare to convince them not to terminate ( Sohail ) Tanveer and also not to take Flintoff. ( Shane ) Warne went of the handle. But have managed it by using stick and carrot strategy. Thus they have 1.875 million dollars only. Much love Lalit.”

Srinivasan apparently replied to the e-mail, saying: “Thanks. You are most sweet. Srini.”

The man tipped to take over as the next BCCI President, reportedly was also unhappy with the inclusion of Kieron Pollard in IPL 3.

The e-mails were revealed in a TV news channel and ESPNSTAR.COM does not verify the authenticity of these mails.

Royals skipper and former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who is also mentioned in the mail from Modi reportedly told the channel that he was not aware of any such development and that his IPL side would never dream of doing something illegal.

Meanwhile, Srinivasan rubbished any claims of fixing Flintoff’s bid in the auctions.

“Chennai Superkings is the only team which had the full two million purse. Everybody else had less. So we didn't need anybody's favours to buy Flintoff. He (Flintoff) could have sent an unsolicited mail to everybody.

“I don't known how many people he sent it to. I have nothing about Keiron Pollard. I have not seen it. I don't have any email on Pollard. No one has referred any mail that I want him," Srinivasan told another channel in the wake of the revelation.

"I have not sent any mail that I want him. Rajasthan Royals bid for Flintoff at 1.5 million, I beat them at 1.55 million. so where is the deal? How can I have any deal? How can Modi have any contract of Shane Warne unless he is owner of Rajasthan Royals. We did nothing wrong. We were fair and square."

The IPL has been mired in controversies since the end of the third season. Modi has been fighting a furious battle with the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council, a body he headed not long back.

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