Mumbai: BCCI Vice-President Lalit Modi has until now been the cricket board's blue-eyed boy but the brain behind the IPL finds himself facing a reprimand from his own board. The reason being the Rajasthan Cricket Association, which he heads has rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Australian cricket team. This 'hospitable' gesture has been publicly criticized by Modi's colleagues in the board. But Modi is not bogged down by these controversies and is ready with the answers.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Modi lashed out at his critics saying he will challenge the reprimand. Here are excerpts of the interview:

NDTV: Are you going to fight it and challenge them?

Lalit Modi: I am and I am going to say that there is nothing wrong in providing the facilities. In the last 24 hours, look what Australia has come and done. They have also responded back and said if we need those facilities, they will be made available to us. So we know going next time to Australia we have those facilities. That is good for us.

NDTV: What do you think is behind this whole business of these colleagues speaking out against you? Is it just simple cricket politics? Rivalries?

LALIT MODI: I think you must ask my colleagues.

NDTV: What do you suspect because you were saying that there are vested interests. People tend to become power centres. Do you think your colleagues are jealous of you and your success?

LALIT MODI: I hope not. But I am sure there is some sort of jealousy. But you have to keep going and keep moving on and do what is right.

NDTV: What would you say to people like Niranjan Shah and Ratnakar Shetty?

LALIT MODI: They are colleagues and good friends of mine. All I would say is that you should have better judgement. I am doing something that is good for the game of cricket and they should not be apprehensive.