Malcolm Speed, 53, chief executive of the International Cricket Council, recently had a face off with the players of India. The ICC wanted the players to sign a contract which would bar them from sponsoring certain products that conflicted with the official sponsors of the ICC tournament currently under way in Sri Lanka.

It nearly led to a revolt, with Indian players refusing to sign any such deal that would seriously hamper their earnings, and nearly did not turn up for the ICC tournament, where India is now in the final.

Finally, a truce deal was struck, but the bitterness remains.

Other issues remain, not the least being the recent controversy when match referee Mike Denness fined Indian players for "excessive appealing" and fined Sachin Tendulkar for "ball tampering", charges that had the Indian players and fans fuming in anger.

Malcolm Speed has agreed to discuss all these issues with the cricket fans of India on The Rediff Chat.

A qualified lawyer, Speed played lower grade club cricket in Australia and earned notice as a cricket administrator. Besides running a sports management business he is also chairman of Basketball Australia.

The ICC chief executive will appear on The Rediff Chat on Friday, 27 September, at 9 am IST [Thursday, 26 September, 11.30 pm EDT].

Also see:

An interview with Speed: 'It is not in the ICC's interest to undermine India'

The ICC Champions Trophy

The Mike Denness contoversy

The Contract row