Mumbai: The controversy-plagued IPL has taken another hit, this time courtesy Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta's reported revelations before the Working Group set up largely to keep the T20 tournament afloat.

Preity is known to speak her mind, without being bothered too much about protocol.

Rajeev Shukla, the IPL chairman, Board secretary Anurag Thakur, Board treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, and former India captain Sourav Ganguly are in the Working Group.

All four, in any case, are on the IPL's governing council - either as full-fledged members or in an ex-officio capacity.

The Working Group wasn't, therefore, needed. But the Board and the IPL have to be seen as being active with a capital A.

At the August 8 meeting of the Working Group, in Mumbai, the glamorous Preity, understandably projected as the face of the franchise, said enough to at least warrant an immediate inquiry.

Yet, after the Working Group's meeting in New Delhi, on Wednesday, Shukla announced that nothing had been discussed.

At an event in Calcutta, however, Sourav (who drove there straight from the airport) was much more forthright: "The Board and concerned authorities will look into it."

Well, it's difficult to believe Shukla's assertion.

Among other things, Preity reportedly revealed that she'd "been suspicious" about some of her players, both through their actions and body language.

Basically, that they may have deliberately under-performed and thrown matches. It's a fact that the Kings XI have, as a team, regularly under-performed, except in the 2014 edition of the IPL.

Kings XI finished runners-up last year, losing to the Kolkata Knight Riders in a pulsating final. This time, in April-May, though, the franchise finished right at the bottom.

From No.2 to No.8... Kings XI had taken the wooden spoon in 2010 as well.

Preity, however, didn't specifically refer to the franchise's performances, or the complete lack of performances, in 2015.

It couldn't be confirmed, but Preity probably took the name of one player from overseas and hinted at the possible involvement of at least one player from India.

Neither featured on the Kings XI's roster this year.

Preity, of course, clarified that she had "no proof" of actual wrong-doing against anybody.

But, going by Preity's reported revelations, that didn't stop her (and, surely, the other co-owners) from releasing players ahead of the IPL auctions.

Instead of asking for a list of all the players under suspicion, the Working Group, according to well-placed sources of The Telegraph, advised Preity "not to take names" if she didn't have evidence.

Was that the best move?

Many wouldn't have forced the lid on the revelations - the very first by an owner or co-owner of a franchise - behind closed doors.

That day, Preity was accompanied by Ness Wadia, another co-owner of Kings XI, and her one-time beau.

One understands Preity spoke for "around an hour." Wadia stayed mum during the time she laid bare her suspicions.

There's confusion on whether Preity communicated her apprehensions to the Anti-Corruption personnel.

Even if Preity did, it's most likely that she did so verbally.

Somebody involved with anti-corruption operations told this Reporter: "Some names have been doing the rounds, but I don't remember any complaint in writing. Nor do I recall an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Unit."

Any lead given by an owner or a co-owner should, ideally, be investigated. The general impression is that there's invariably a move to cover-up.

Meanwhile, the IPL will feature eight teams for the next two years.

The six co-owners of the old Kochi Tuskers Kerala could be given the "first right" to run one of the two suspended franchises -Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals - in that period.

An "open auction" would, then, be held for the other suspended franchise.

The IPL's governing council and the Board's all-powerful working committee would take the final call.

Clarity is awaited.