'All of us are responsible'
A very candid Chirayu Amin told news channel NDTV that the BCCI governing council were slow to react to suspicions of shady dealings because the entire board was 'basking in the glory of the IPL and dazzled by its success;' an honest admission from the man who has been asked to bat on a rather sticky wicket, but seems keen to take up the challenge. HT reports.
A very candid Chirayu Amin told news channel NDTV that the BCCI governing council were slow to react to suspicions of shady dealings because the entire board was 'basking in the glory of the IPL and dazzled by its success;' an honest admission from the man who has been asked to bat on a rather sticky wicket, but seems keen to take up the challenge.
Amin even gave credit to Lalit Modi, saying, "all of us sitting on the council are responsible for what is happening, but the way it was managed, the way Lalit Modi grew this tournament, I must give the credit to him. He really worked hard and made it successful." He did add though, that there were serious doubts about Lalit Modi's operations.
"The Tharoor episode brought it out as the last straw; it's not that it came out instantaneously, there were a lot of undercurrents. Certain details were not disclosed to us and we trusted Lalit Modi to act in a good faith for the betterment of the game. So I must admit that the governing council could have been more vigilant," he said.
Amin said he was not at all keen to take up the job, but was convinced by the other board members.
"The job is quite tough. It was thrown upon me unexpectedly and I didn't realize that I will be put into this hot seat, but here I am, and I will do my best. The board needed someone who has been associated for a long time and they assured me of their full support so I hesitantly accepted the job."
"My first priority is to stabilize the ship," Amin told NDTV, adding that he would aim to, "gain the confidence cricket lovers, people who are involved, the players, the franchisees, assure them that everything is fine and that nothing is going to change as far as the game is concerned."
On Lalit Modi saying he had a lot to reveal
I think we need to show a little more maturity. We have issued a show-cause notice, he wanted five days, we have given him 15. I think we need to be fair; we have given him time to come up with answers and explanations which will be evaluated by the governing council.
On match-fixing allegations
This is the part of the show cause notice. Let him (Modi) respond, and then we will look into it.
On brand IPL being tied to Lalit Modi
I think the game of cricket is ultimately supreme and no one in the world can touch that; especially in India, that is supreme. Individuals may come and go but no one can touch cricket.
On the IPL under Chirayu Amin
I think new processes and system would be put in place. There will be much more deliberation in each and every decision taken, major or minor. We will have standard operating systems and we will try to make a system oriented management of the IPL…but as far as the game of cricket goes, nothing will change.
Transparency on the part of the BCCI
I think we will be as transparent, maybe more. BCCI is a public body; we are concerned and we are responsible to the whole world as companies from all over have invested in the IPL. Of course before the new bidding process the rules will be looked into.
