Lalit Modi ruled out the participation of a fourth Indian franchise outfit in this year's Champions Twenty20 League.

"There won't be a fourth Indian team. There also won't be another team from Australia or South Africa (if the need arises)," Champions League chairman Modi told reporters here.

While India has three teams -- IPL 2 winners Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad; runners-up Royal Challengers, Bangalore and the Delhi Daredevils, joint founding boards Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa have two each in the fray, along with England and Wales Board.

"We have a solution (to fill up the slot in case of need)," Modi said.

The vacant slot will arise if Northamptonshire, one of the semifinalists of the domestic T20 tournament in England, make the final as they have players linked to the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Champions League rules state no players who are part of any unauthorised tournament can take part in the October 8-23 tournament offering USD 6 million in prize money.

The semifinals and final of the English domestic T20 event are to be held on August 15.