Dhoni's agent Jeet Banerjee told BBC Sport only 10 to 12 players would be signed on Friday, and Badale expects that to be to Flintoff and Pietersen's benefit.
Writers Hari Kunzru, Amitava Kumar, Jeet Thayil and Ruchir Joshi read extracts from the book to protest against Mr Rushdie's withdrawal, leading the festival organisers to distance themselves from the readings.