Lalit Modi, the man who conceived the league, spoke to this newspaper on IPL.
Lalit Modi File Photo
The seventh edition of the Indian Premier League is around the corner and it would take a monumental effort to restore the faith of the fans after a controversy ridded season 6. Lalit Modi, the man who conceived the league, spoke to this newspaper on various issues surrounding the cash rich IPL.
Q How do you interpret the Supreme Court’s interim order ?
Contrary to everyone’s reading of the interim order and also vis-a-vis the BCCI counsel’s statement, I personally think that the order is a very positive development. Especially, it categorically states that Mr N. Srinivasan and his team cannot operate directly or indirectly anymore. As I have been saying all along it was the first step needed in the move to clean up cricket.
Interestingly, the BCCI treasury that moved to India Cement House by order of president some time ago must now all be moved back to Mumbai. The appointment of Mr Sunil Gavaskar as the interim president, at least until this IPL season, was also a very good decision — putting the reins solidly back in control of a cricketer. I believe he has the capability to deliver on all counts.
Q Is allowing Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to stay in IPL justified ?
As for the decision on the two teams, while I might differ a little on that front, the SC has again acted appropriately. The fans and the public at large are slowly but surely beginning to lose faith in the IPL and the game. Had the 2014 IPL been reduced to six teams and a mere 30-odd games, the IPL would have lost further ground among its supporters. The biggest and most important tasks ahead of the BCCI now would be to win back the faith of the fans.
Q The apex court hasn’t made any order on Srinivasan’s role in ICC. Can he become the chairman in July?
Mr Srinivasan has perceptibly tarnished the BCCI’s image as a big bully in world cricket. His legacy, I believe, has been one of opaque distrust that was self-centered and self-serving at best. Given this background, allowing him to continue as ICC chairman or rather any ICC or BCCI role will only project signs of indiscretion and continue to erode India’s image globally. I am certain the powers that be within the ICC have all been following the developments in India very keenly and will do whatever needs to be done to ensure that such an issue does not arise. But even before it gets to that level, I think the BCCI and Shivlal Yadav need to ensure that they send a capable person to the ICC to ensure Mr Srinivasan’s stamp on Indian cricket is removed once and for all.
Q The first phase of the IPL is going to be held in the UAE, a region considered as a hotbed of betting activities. Do you have any apprehension on holding the IPL in the Gulf ?
Given that the world has shrunk into one global village, thanks to modern day communications, betting today does not need any environment to thrive in. A cell phone and maybe some internet connectivity is all that is needed to ensure that a person can place a wager from anywhere in the world on any sport in any time zone. Hence, to single out the UAE as a hotbed of betting activity might not be appropriate. Regardless of where the IPL is held, it is the responsibility of BCCI, IPL chairman and the ACSU to ensure that the league is kept away from the dark shadow of fixing and betting.
Q Aditya Verma’s lawyer Harish Salve came out with a scathing allegations against M.S. Dhoni in the court. Is it right to blame Dhoni ?
No individual is greater than the game. I have always maintained that Dhoni should never have been an employee of India Cements and at the same time lead the Indian team. To make matters worse we all know that he has defended Mr Srinivasan’s stance on Gurunath as ‘enthusiast’ and not a face of Team CSK. I leave it to the readers to come to an informed opinion on Dhoni. The longer Dhoni takes to clarify his stand on the issue, more damage he is doing to his image and brand value.
Q Should Dhoni quit from India Cements to put an end to the conflict of interest issue ?
Fact is that Dhoni has been an amazing captain for the Indian cricket team and has made immense contributions to the game, but nevertheless his association with Mr Srinivasan and India Cements is indeed damaging as there is a direct conflict of interest. I think he should disassociate himself from India Cements. It might sound a bit excessive, but if I were in his position I would start evaluating other franchises for forthcoming tournaments.
Q Is it fair on the part of Gavaskar to take up the interim post especially after he kept strategic silence when fixing row erupted ?
I have always had the utmost respect for Gavaskar. It was Sunil’s name and credibility as a global cricket ambassador that I had banked upon when setting up the IPL. And hence, he was one of my first choices for the IPL Governing Council when I set up the league. He is an astute administrator and has all the experience he will need to run the IPL successfully in the interim.
Q Will Gavaskar and Shivlal Yadav abide by Srinivasan ?
I sincerely hope not! I personally know both these individuals and believe they have the personal integrity to conduct their tasks in a fair and unbiased manner to the best of their ability. Both Sunil and Shivlal have been given a very important task to do. Sunil captained Shivlal and together they played a big part in India’s decent record in Tests in the early 1980s. I am sure this combination will come good yet again for Indian cricket.
Q What significance do you think Gavaskar can make in the short period available ?
Honestly Sunil’s tenure is very short and cannot have the impact that most desire for. But given his years of experience as a cricketer of global repute, I am certain he will delve into his experience to set the building blocks that will translate into a comprehensive long-term strategy to ensure that the IPL is cleaned up.
( Source : dc )
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