Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi dismissed reports circulating in a section of the media that he is being eased out of the cricket's biggest money-spinner.

Talking to IANS from Germany, Modi said there was no truth in "these planted stories" as he was appointed by the cricket board's general body for five years to run the IPL.

"Also, there's no truth in the report that the post of IPL Commissioner is being abolished," he insisted.

IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah, too, indignantly refuted the so-called move, saying that someone was trying to play a prank. "How can anyone believe such trash without giving it a thought?" he shot back. Another senior board official, not wanting to be dragged into the controversy said that there was not even discussion on the subject at any of the recent board meetings. "Some months ago, there was some loud thinking whether the chairman and commissioner's posts be de-linked but there was no serious discussion. One suggestion was that the board president should be the IPL chairman," said the board insider.