Given responsibility by the Supreme Court to provide firm leadership to Pepsi-IPL-VII, Sunil Gavaskar will get down to serious business after a meeting with BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, IPL governing council chairman Ranjib Biswal, IPL CEO Sundar Raman, and Ratnakar Shetty, GM, Game Development (BCCI), in Dubai on Monday.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured that the honourable Supreme Court has entrusted me with the job of being the interim President of the BCCI till the end of IPL-VII. Like with cricket, I will give it my best shot,” said Gavaskar in a statement.
The former India captain and champion opening batsman is familiar with IPL matters having been a member of the governing council for the first three seasons of the franchise-based Twenty20 tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
In Dubai, Gavaskar will also meet up with the International Management Group (IMG) representatives who virtually run the tournament and the IPL’s broadcast partner.
Patel, talking to The Hindu a few hours after the Supreme Court delivered the interim order, said: “I have already spoken to him [Gavaskar]. Ranjib [Biswal] is already in Dubai and we will chalk out ways to take IPL-VII forward as per the interim order.
“He would be discharging the duties the BCCI president would have done in normal circumstances.’’
ADVERTISEMENT
CSK, Royals issue
Patel expressed happiness at the apex court’s ruling that allowed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) to take part in the eight-team league. “The BCCI’s lawyer explained our position with regard to the league and allegations made against M.S. Dhoni. In fact I spoke to Dhoni and conveyed to him of what transpired at the court on Friday.
“He also assured me that the team is fully focused to give its best in the tournament [ICC World Twenty20]. He did not tell me that he wanted to quit as India captain.”
He also clarified that N. Srinivasan has not been removed as BCCI president by the Supreme Court.
“He (Srinivasan) has made it very clear to the court that he would not discharge his duties in the day-to-day affairs of the BCCI. The non-IPL matters will be looked after by Shivlal Yadav. He is the BCCI’s senior vice-president and he is also from South Zone. But I am told he (Srinivasan) can be the ICC Chairman,” said Patel.