Calcutta: Despite its enormous success, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has always had its share of critics.

The IPL, in fact, has also become a fairly soft target as was seen in this year's edition when it even got blamed for drought in parts of Maharashtra.

In wanting to set right the public perception, the IPL is looking at a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) model.

Discussions to that effect were held in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, when the IPL's governing council met.

Later, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Ajay Shirke told The Telegraph: "Everything is at a preliminary stage, but the need to present a better image of the IPL was discussed...

"Specifically, we're looking at a CSR model, which could result in cricket and education-related scholarships and equipment-centred help to the needy who, maybe, reside in the slums...

"The Board is a responsible organisation and is certainly responsive to the issues affecting society at large...

"I must place on record that all members of the governing council had excellent suggestions and all are very keen on a CSR model being adopted."

Among the governing council members is former India captain Sourav Ganguly, currently the Cricket Association of Bengal president.

Hit by scandals in the past, the trend-setting IPL has completed nine editions.