New Delhi: In a big setback BCCI president N Srinivasan, the Supreme Court on Thursday proposed his replacement by Sunil Gavaskar and suspension of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) along with Rajasthan Royals (RR) from IPL 7 till the pendency of case of betting and spot fixing scandal before it. The court said it is intending to bar CSK, owned by India Cements, which is promoted by Srinivasan, and RR, whose players and team officials are allegedly involved in the scandal, from participating in the IPL 7 tournament slated to begin from April 16. A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik proposed the name of veteran cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar to head the Board during the pendency of the case in the apex court.
The bench asked the Board to give its response by tomorrow on its proposals after which it will pass an interim order. The bench also proposed to pass an order barring India Cements officials from getting involved with the functioning of BCCI after senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Cricket Association of Bihar, pointed out that many such officials are at present part of BCCI team. Salve also raised questions on the conduct of captain of Indian Cricket Team, M S Dhoni, who is also vice president of India Cements, saying that he is guilty of corrupt practices.
Sunil Gavaskar said he will be ‘honoured’ and ‘happy’ to adhere to the directives of the highest court of the land. "First and foremost, if the highest court suggests something, you have to do so but that has to be on record. I am currently contracted with BCCI as a commentator. But if Supreme Court wants me to do that, I will do it," Gavaskar said. "When the Supreme Court asks you, there is no question about it, there is not much you can do and I will be happy to do what they ask me to do", he told NDTV. Gavaskar, a former Indian captain, said he would wait for the final order from the court. "I will consider it, it will be a huge honour that Supreme Court feels I will be good enough to do the job. But we will have to wait and watch until tomorrow in which direction it goes. Let's not jump the gun," the former Indian captain said.
Dravid, Kumble, Srikkanth feel BCCI will have to abide by SC
Former India captains Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Kris Srikkanth said in Bangalore that the BCCI will have to abide by the suggestions of Supreme Court but refused to comment on the specific proposals made by the apex court. "First, wait for the Supreme Court to give its verdict and whatever the final verdict of the SC, I am sure all of us law abiding citizens will abide by the decision," Kumble said. He said cricket, like in all fields of life, was not immune to such incidents (corruption). "This is nothing to what we have seen as in the society and there is no difference to cricket. The first set of these allegations came in 1999-2000, but the players responsibly put things in place," Kumble told reporters on the sidelines of event organised by Gillete in Bangalore. "Even now the players on field will determine how the game is going to be seen as and the fans of course will look at it that way. And yes, we have an opportunity to do whatever we can to ensure that the game is above all of this," he said.
Dravid said, "I would not like to make any comment because I have not seen the proposal and these matters are in the court. We have to wait for the court judgment." Asked whether the spot-fixing allegations have damaged reputation of cricket, Dravid said in life some things happen which should not have happened, but not everything is wrong. "Earlier, these incidents have occurred, but the game is great and will continue as it were. Some things in life are bad, we need to rectify them. However, the sport will not be lesser," he added.
Srikkanth said, "At this point of time we cannot comment. Everything is subjudice. But Supreme Court is supreme and everybody will have to follow what it says. There is no other way," he said. Asked if he was hurt by the Supreme Court proposal to bar CSK and RR from IPL 7, Srikkanth said he did not know of the issue. When asked whether BCCI President Srinivasan should step aside or step down, Srikkanth said, "You are asking me the same question in different forms. You are bowling a googly, a bouncer and then a straighter one. At this point of time any one of us cannot answer this question since the matter is subjudice."
