IPL Casino Opened,Cheerleaders stays safe!As CSK, RR suspended; Guru banned for life.SRINI would not resign! What about Dhoni?
Palash Biswas
Justice R. M. Lodha, Chairman of the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee, with member Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice RV Raveendran at the announcement of their verdict on Indian Premier League (IPL) fixing, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI
IPL Casino Opened,Cheerleaders stays safe!As CSK, RR suspended; Guru banned for life.SRINI would not resign! Waht about Dhoni?
However, the top brass of the Indian cricket board on Tuesday got into a huddle to discuss the future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals after their suspension from the cash-rich IPL.
Reacting to suspension of Chennai Super Kings, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar admitted that "it will be tough" to imagine an Indian Premier League edition without Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Dhoni is the captain of Chennai Super Kings.
Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday described the two-year suspension of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) as the "first honest decision taken on Indian cricket".
"Lodha committee report is just the first step. It is not an end but has to be taken as a starting point. This is just the start," this was one of Modi's many tweets after the Supreme Court-appointed panel suspended CSK and RR for two years besides suspending Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra for life.
"Great outcome for justice and integrity. No surprise first honest decision on Indian cricket and it comes from outside the BCCI," he wrote.
Modi also thought the teams should have been banned for life.
"CSK and Rajasthan Royals have got away with lighter punishment - they should have been banned completely and not merely for 2 years."He was scathing in his criticism for the BCCI.
"BCCI cover up failed only because the courts intervened. Is this the way a public body should have functioned. Shame," he said.
On the way ahead for the IPL without the two teams, Modi wrote: "BCCI needs to sell it via a proper, transparent bidding process to the highest bidder - rather than Srini's proposed scam trust group."
He further said N Srinivasan, father-in-law of Meiyappan, had no right to continue as ICC Chairman.
"There should be not even a days delay in this happening. The @Icc rules clearly state it. Wake up all members," he wrote.
In what appears to be a major turning point in Indian cricket, a Supreme Court panel led by Justice R M Lodha today suspended two of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) marquee franchises — Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals — for two years on charges of corruption.
More worryingly, the core of India's one-day international side now stares at an uncertain IPL future. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, stand-in-skipper for the Zimbabwe tour, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are all without IPL contracts. That explains probably why Rahane could manage only a lacklustre 15-ball 22 against Zimbabwe in Harare today.
The two teams' co-owners, Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, have been suspended from cricket activities for life. For many, this is hopefully the first phase of a cleanup act that the cricket world has been arduously waiting for. But the repercussions of this verdict may be severe, with its reverberations likely to ring for a long time to come.
The three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge RM Lodha has pronounced its verdict in the spot-fixing scandal that marred the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and co-owner of Rajasthan Royals Raj Kundra were found guilty of betting and bringing the game into disrepute and were thus, banned for life from all cricket-related activities. The committee has also suspended IPL franchisees Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from participating in the IPL for two years.
The committee noted that both Meiyappan and Kundra had damaged the faith of the people in the sport, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and IPL. The panel also declared that any person who has true passion for the game will never be involved in betting.
"The fact that Meiyappan was integral part of CSK, he ought not to have indulged in corrupt practices. Any person who has true passion for the game will never be involved in betting. Gurunath has not only indulged in betting but he has brought disrepute to cricket & the IPL. Being the face if franchise, Gurunath's actions reflects on the owners India Cements," said Justice Lodha.
"Gurunath Meiyappan acted in violation of IPL laws. It is evident from the decision of SC that matter is serious. India Cements did not take any action against Meiyappan," it added.
The IPL Governing Council members will soon be meeting to discuss the implications and the road ahead after the verdict by the Lodha committee.
"We were having some informal discussions once the verdict was announced. An emergent meeting is on the cards where the members will be apprised of the situation and the road ahead will be only chalked out after our legal team goes through entire contents of the copy of the verdict," a senior BCCI functionary and IPL Governing Council member said.
However, the three primary points that have emerged from the discussions between the senior functionaries are that of whether new companies will be allowed to bid for two vacant slots, whether all players or only the CSK and RR players will be going into auctions and also the case of the de-merger of the CSK from its parent company India Cements Limited.
"Since during our last GC meeting, we have forwarded the matter of CSK's de-merger and share valuation issue to the Working Committee, who will be taking legal opinion, we have to wait for it. Now current owners of CSK and Royals may be in a mood to sell their franchises to new owners but there are a few problems," another GC member explained the current situation.
"The moment CSK or RR is sold off in its current state to a new owner, the existing legal liabilities will then be burden of the new owner. Plus both franchises have lost goodwill. In this existing scenario can they be sold off or new buyers will be interested?" he questioned.
"Since Lodha committee has stated that the BCCI needs to look at it, we must be very careful about it and also keep the legal implications in mind," he said.
The last crucial point is the case of new bids being invited by the BCCI to again make it an eight-team league but the case of Players' Auction is then closely related to the issue.
"There are two options related to this matter. The BCCI invites tender for fresh bidding of two new IPL franchises. Since around 45-odd players from these two franchises will become free due to the verdict, a mini-auction is held and the two new franchises are allowed to pick from the existing pool of players.
"But then the new owners might oppose the idea of getting to select players from a restricted pool. In that case, it needs to be decided whether a fresh auction may be called having all the players from all the teams back in the auction pool," said the source.
A fresh auction was supposed to be held before the 2017 IPL but current situation may drive BCCI to have one before the scheduled time.
The other aspect will be Srinivasan's fate as BCCI representative in ICC. While the issue is supposed to come up in September, the verdict will certainly make BCCI mandarins have a rethink on having him as their representative.
But Srinivasan still enjoys a fair bit of support inside the BCCI which might make it difficult for the Thakur faction to remove his candidature as the BCCI representative in ICC.
Srinivasan's ICC chairmanship is scheduled to end in June, next year.
CSK and Royals officials were unavailable for any comments.
Tough to imagine an IPL without Dhoni: Gavaskar
Gavaskar admitted that "it will be tough" to imagine an Indian Premier League edition without Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee decided to suspend Chennai Super Kings for two years.
Asked about an IPL without Dhoni, Gavaskar said, "Yes, that is going to be very tough. However, MSD is only 34 years old and in a few years will be bidding good bye to international cricket. In any case, it will be tough to imagine an IPL without Dhoni."
Gavaskar also said that the players of CSK and Rajasthan Royals "must be feeling terrible" at the moment but this is a judgment that cannot be taken lightly as three of the most eminent former Chief Justices of India have deliberated upon.
"I know the players of CSK and Royals must be feeling terrible at the moment, especially being singled out for no fault of theirs as somebody else has been at fault. Since already 3-4 guys have been suspended, they might feel let down but at the same time, when three former Chief Justices give a verdict, you cannot question their credibility and integrity," Gavaskar told NDTV.
However, the legendary opener said that since the next IPL is at least eight months away, it would not be difficult for the BCCI to find two new teams.
"There is at least eight months for the next IPL. I feel that is enough time for the BCCI to have two new teams. When IPL was floated, the idea was of an eight-team tournament and not a six-team tournament. It was decided to have an eight-team tournament which will be gradually increased to 10-teams. But I feel there is enough time to get two new teams."
Gavaskar did not get into a detailed discussion on the implications of the verdict though.
"We need to look that every aspect has been examined and this judgment cannot be taken lightly. Time will only tell us that what this judgment actually means."
The 65-year old however rubbished views of sceptics who had termed IPL the root cause of corruption in Indian cricket.
"I believe that reaction of IPL being root cause is like throwing the baby out with bathwater. It is not fair to always blame the IPL for everything. It is only people not connected with IPL are criticising. It has done a world of good for Indian and world cricket.
"The animosity amongst international cricketers post 2008 has reduced considerably. The Indian first-class cricketers have now got a career option. There are far many number of pluses that outweigh the minuses," said Gavaskar, who was president of BCCI-IPL in 2014 and also a GC member from 2008.
Gavaskar added, "When we start any new venture, we want it to run smoothly but there will be a few stumbling blocks. But IPL has the ability to bounce back. In 2013, a lot was said about IPL but the fans thronged to the stadiums. So it is the quality of cricket that would matter."
IPL Spot Fixing Verdict: CSK, RR franchises suspended for two years
IPL Spot Fixing Live: Quantum of punishment on Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, respective IPL franchises declared.
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: July 14, 2015 7:05 pm
IPL Spot Fixing Live: CSK, RR have been suspended for a period of two years. (Source: Express File)
IPL Spot Fixing Verdict: The RM Lodha-led committee, which also includes former judges Ashok Bhan and RV Raveendran, declared the 'quantum of punishment' on Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra as well as their respective IPL franchises, CSK and RR, with regards to the spot-fixing scandal on Tuesday.
What was the IPL Verdict? Watch the complete explanation
Big IPL Spot Fixing Verdict As it happened:
1331 hrs IST: The suspension to take effect from today
1326 hrs IST: Lodha panel proposes to suspend Rajasthan Royals too. For a period of two years
1321 hrs IST: Chennai Super Kings suspended for a period of TWO YEARS!
1316 hrs IST: Similar sanctions have also been imposed on Raj Kundra, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals for betting
1313 hrs IST: Meiyappan's betting activities brought the game to disrepute and bad name to BCCI, IPL and cricket
1312 hrs IST: Meiyappan declared ineligible for participation in any cricket activities for 5 years
Have Your Say on the Verdict
1308 hrs IST: Lodha panel suspends Gurunath Meiyappan for life from any sort of cricketing activity
1258 hrs IST: The judges have reached the India Habitat Centre. Judgement shortly
IPL Verdict: Press at IHC, New Delhi.
1247 hrs IST: Ashok Bhan and RV Raveendran are expected to announce the quantum of punishment in some time from now
IPL Verdict: Press at IHC, New Delhi.
1246 hrs IST: The reporters are waiting for the judges at the IHC, New Delhi
In the spotlight:
Gurunath: In its report submitted on February 9, 2014, the Mudgal committee had concluded that Meiyappan was the face of the CSK team along with being a de facto owner. It also found that he was in constant touch with bookies and punters, and traced several calls between him and Vindoo Dara Singh where Meiyappan was proved to be placing bets on and against his team even while IPL matches were on.
Gurunath Meiyappan (L) and Raj Kundra.
Kundra: Raj Kundra was referred to as Individual No.11 by the Committee and was said to be in touch with bookies and that he was friends with a known punter, who had provided a statement that he had placed bets on behalf of the RR co-owner.
Sundar Raman: In its January judgement, the Supreme Court said that there were allegations against the IPL COO about having been in constant touch with Vindoo Dara Singh with records of 350 phone conversations between them during the 2013 IPL. The other allegation against Sundar Raman was failing to take any action against IPL franchise owners and team officials despite receiving information about their betting activities. The SC quoted from both the Probe Committee's report as well as the findings of BB Mishra, a key member of the Mudgal committee.
Can CSK and Rajasthan Royals be terminated on Tuesday?
Yes, they can be. But only if the Lodha committee finds that the gravity of the misconduct indulged in by the persons (Meiyappan and Kundra) is grave enough for them to recommend the sternest action against the two franchises. If they were to do so, there are two separate clauses in the IPL Operational Rules that they can rely on.
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