Shastri backs Srinivasan, Modi, says Sachin can play at Lord’s

Former India captain Ravi Shastri has defended the embattled cricket board president N Srinivasan, saying he has done a lot of good for the game.

Former India captain Ravi Shastri has defended the embattled cricket board president N Srinivasan, saying he has done a lot of good for the game.

Delivering the Dilip Sardesai lecture on Friday, Shastri left no one in doubt where his allegiance lies. “The BCCI has become a punching bag. But one needs to see what all they have done for the game in the country. Srinivasan is a true fan of the game and a true administrator. If I were in his position, even I would not have resigned,” Shastri said.

“I belong to the school of thought that you don’t back out of your responsibility. People say cricket is in a bad state, but all teams are doing well. Ask any player if he has complained?” Shastri asked.

A former IPL governing council member during Lalit Modi’s time, he praised its former commissioner. Modi faces a life ban by BCCI and its disciplinary panel has completed its inquiry. “He was given a free hand by then BCCI president Sharad Pawar and he did a tremendous job to set the ball rolling for the IPL,” he said.

Sachin can play on
Shastri brushed aside talk around Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th Test and retirement. “We are speculating on Sachin’s 200th Test. He can even play at Lord’s next year, he can keep playing.”