New Delhi, Apr 21 (IANS): The franchise owners of the Indian Premier League (IPL), who are said to be close to beleaguered league commissioner Lalit Modi, want the board to hear them before deciding on his fate. They are expected to make a case for Modi's continuance.

Modi is facing the heat from his own colleagues in the board and political forces to quit in the aftermath of the raging controversy ever since he made public the Kochi IPL franchise stake-holders' names.

The franchise owners are likely to meet the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar before the IPL governing council meeting Monday and express their views on the controversy, particularly on Modi's role.

As of Tuesday, seven team owners are on one side and want Modi to stay unless some of them buckle under government pressure.

Modi has already received unabashed praise from Vijay Mallya, owner of Bangalore Royal Challengers, who said there is no need to replace the architect of the IPL as its commissioner. And Modi was quick to tweet thanks for the gesture.

"Why should he be replaced, unless he has exceeded his brief or failed with something to do with IPL? As far as the IPL is concerned, Modi has done a fabulous job," said Mallya.

Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy, who bought the new Pune franchise, also said: "One thing is important - Modi has done tremendous work for IPL and one should note that."

Other stakeholders of IPL franchises are likely to toe the same line.

"There is huge amount of money riding in IPL and we do not want just about anyone to take over the reins. The BCCI will have to work in a calculated manner and they will have to keep our views in mind before deciding on the matter," a top official from one of franchisee told IANS.