IPL Without MS Dhoni Will be a Tough One: Sunil Gavaskar to NDTV

On a day of multiple judgements in Indian cricket, a Supreme Court-appointed three-member panel delivered a blow to two Indian Premier League franchises - Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals - by suspending them for two years and leaving the players of the two sides- including stalwarts like MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina - in a limbo. (BCCI's official statement)

NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar reckons IPL has the ability to rise above the controversy but a season without Dhoni in it will be a tough one. (Top-10 developments)

"I hope the matter (fate of CSK and RR players) is sorted out quickly. Leave aside an IPL without MS Dhoni, it will be hard to see an Indian team without him when calls time on his career."

The former India skipper also defended the under-fire N. Srinivasan, whose son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan has been handed a life ban from all cricket activities for his role in betting during IPL 2013.

"One can't doubt the commitment N. Srinivasan's commitment to cricket. I don't think we should go on a witch-hunt as the Mudgal panel had also stated that he did not interfere in the investigations," said Gavaskar.

RM Lodha's committee came down heavily on Meiyappan and RR co-owner Raj Kundra, who were indicted for their role in betting. The repercussion was that the two franchises have now been suspended. (Complete IPL Timeline)

"If cricket is bigger, financial loss to players or franchises is not important," RM Lodha said during a press conference held in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"The purity of the game has been affected by the actions of India Cements and CSK. Fans have been cheated," Lodha added. (Also read: Lalit Modi calls for Srinivasan's sacking as ICC chief)

Reacting to the uncertainty surrounding the players of the two sides, Gavaskar said,"You certainly need to look at the way the panel has examined every aspect of the case. I think only time will tell us, in the next few days, if all the players of Chennai and Rajasthan will get affected by this."

Gavaskar also said that the players of the two suspended teams must be feeling let down by the turn of events on Tuesday.

"I think the players must be feeling terrible. They're being singled out and punished for no fault of theirs. Even when the three players were found guilty in 2013, they were suspended but the whole team did not suffer," Gavaskar said.

What Next?

With two teams out of the picture for two years, how will IPL 2016 shape up? Will there be two new franchises to replace CSK and RR? Could there be a return of Pune Warriors or the Kochi Tuskers Kerala - who were previously suspended? Or will IPL go on with two teams short? Several such questions could form the agenda of BCCI's next meeting. Gavaskar feels two new teams have to be brought in.

"I think you need to have two more teams. The IPL was built for an eight-team format not a six-team format. I think BCCI will go ahead and look to add two teams," Gavaskar said.

"Fortunately, they have time on their hands. The IPL is months away so getting two new teams will not be too big a problem," he added.

Gavaskar also remains optimistic about IPL's ability to rise above the controversy and bring fans to the stadiums again.

"IPL can definitely bounce back. There is no question in my mind. Even after 2013, the fans came back to the stadiums. That is going to be the situation again, people will flock to the IPL again," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar even went on to praise IPL's contribution to world cricket.

"IPL has done a world of good for International cricket. For starters having players from all over the world playing in different franchise has helped in understanding each other's cricketing culture, attitudes and approach to the game and it reduces the animosity," Gavaskar said.

"It has provided a career option for a lot of people - not just in India but also in overseas. Lot of uncapped international players have played in IPL and come in contention for their countries. Besides the financial benefits, I Think IPL has done a lot. The plusses outweigh the minuses," he added.

Time for Introspection?

Having praised the controversial cash-rich league for its valuable contributions, Gavaskar also felt that it was time for the Indian cricket board to review and introspect on how the events have unfolded since the controversy in 2013 and what will be the best way to move ahead.

"Every organisation needs a review. If you're a team you do a review at the end of a series. It is something everybody needs to do. The BCCI need to look at how they will be able to give the cricket followers in India the confidence that the game is in good hands," Gavaskar said.

The verdict against the two franchises marks a landmark day in Indian cricket. There is an oftenly-repeated cliche of cricket being bigger than any individual belonging to it, but the Lodha panel's verdict has done well to put it in practice.

"We feel that our decision will uphold the paramountcy of the game. This is an institutional view," RM Lodha said during the press conference.

This however, is merely the first step. With the teams having the option to appeal against the ban and the players' future still in the balance, it remains to be the seen as to how the situation pans out between now and the start of the season next April.