Bishan Singh Bedi, a formidable advocate of reform in Indian cricket administration, said the Supreme Court order was a victory for the game.
“It was waiting to happen and has come at a time when cricket needed this kind of fillip. It was clean always but was being maligned,” Bedi told The Hindu here on Tuesday.
Where many stalwarts of the sport either chose to remain silent or fall in line, Bedi frequently questioned the manner in which the game was conducted in the country.
“I have always believed in the phrase that cricket is a reflection of the society we live in. The good that happens in Indian cricket/sport is sheer providence; the evil/sinful that happens in Indian cricket/sport is by comprehensive design. The game had been infiltrated by evils and its image had to be restored. The Supreme Court has done it. And how? The Court gave BCCI sufficient time to present its case, but was not convinced. The BCCI must have spent crores of rupees in trying to prove a point without the legs to stand on,” the legendary spinner said.
Not wanting to indulge in a debate on the state of affairs in the Board, the former India captain said, “Only good will come out of the Supreme Court order. The Lodha Committee had done a wonderful job and I must say it showed the Board in poor light. Transparency was the need of the hour.”
Bedi welcomed the order because it meant there was hope for cricketers.
“I had strong faith in the judiciary to help the cause of the cricketers because there was no other forum left for us.”
He had glowing praise for the Lodha Committee. “Indian cricket should be grateful to the Lodha Committee for restoring its dignity. This is not an event. It is a movement that will carry Indian cricket forward and inspire the young sportspersons. They know now that their career can’t be decided by the whims and fancies of officials.”
Bedi firmly believes that a bright phase lies ahead for Indian cricket.
“When something untoward happens in the game it is often said, ‘It is not cricket’. What was happening for a long time was not quite cricket. Let us now enjoy the game in its true spirit.”
