As an opener, ready for any challenge: Sunil Gavaskar on replacing N. Srinivasan
Supreme Court has proposed that Sunil Gavaskar could be an ideal candidate to replace N. Srinivasan - facing heat due to his alleged role in IPL spot-fixing probe - as BCCI chief.
Former India captain Sunil Gavsakar told NDTV on Thursday that he would be "happy" to oblige with any directive of the Supreme Court as it is the highest court of the land. The top court earlier in the day had proposed Gavaskar's name as someone who could replace embattled Board of Control for Cricket in India chief N. Srinivasan as an interim president.
Although Gavaskar admitted that it was not easy for him to comment on the matter immediately, the renowned former cricketer hinted that he would be ready to take up the post if it is offered. "As an opening batsman, you must be ready for all kinds of challenges. Will do everything to the best of my abilities," he said. "If the highest court is reposing this faith in me, I'll be happy to do what they tell me to do."
Gavaskar, 64, however did ask for caution and said that Srinivasan cannot be blatantly termed as guilty. "Srinivasan is innocent till proven guilty. (But) I cannot pass an opinion on what Supreme Court feels as I am not a legal man," he said.
The Supreme Court earlier in the day said that it will pass an order on the spot fixing and betting scandal on Friday, but proposed that Gavaskar could take over as the interim chief in place of N Srinivasan. The top court also suggested that IPL teams Chennai Super Kings or CSK and Rajasthan Royals should not be part of the seventh season beginning from April 16.
Gavaskar however feels that terminating the two franchises won't really help counter the menace of spot-fixing in the sport. "Any cricket lover will feel sad if Chennai doesn't play IPL. They have given a lot of joy to fans," he said. "Not having IPL is not going to help. When match-fixing cropped up, no one said to stop Test cricket."