Mathew Hayden's Book Confirms Modi-Clarke Tiff as Reason for Clarke Not Playing in IPL

Michael Clarke's manager tried to do a cover job of the whole issue involving Clarke's participation, or rather non participation, in the IPL. However, Matthew Hayden's autobiography confirms what was long held - that it was a tiff between the Australian vice captain and the then IPL chairman and commissioner that saw the flamboyant cricketer from missing out on the IPL extravaganza.

michael clarke in whites

Clarke's name was on the IPL auction list but withdrawn at the eleventh hour. While some suggested that Clarke was worried about the base price, there were strong indication that a Michael Clarke-Lalit Modi spat was behind the late withdrawl.

Clarke's manager, however, tried to brush aside the issue, implying that Clarke was more concerned about playing for his country and staying fit and had therefore chosen the prudent route of not playing in the Indian domestic Twenty20 tournament, unlike many of his fellow Australian cricketers.

However, the former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden reveals in his autobiography "Standing My Ground" that Michael Clarke had a row with Modi over what fee he could command and that he did not really need an auction to sign on the dotted line because the IPL franchisees would take him without a blink of an eye. When Modi refused to pander to the Australian dominance by giving in and insisted that Clarke go through the ring of the IPL auctions, Clarke changed his mind and decided not to go after all.

It is interesting that Hayden would release his book in India and touch upon this particular topic also as he likens Lalit Modi to Kerry Packer. And it will be even more interesting if Clarke will choose to publicly counter Hayden's version of Clarke in the IPL.