Addressing a barrage of questions on the muck surrounding the cash-rich tournament, the 62-year-old administrator insisted that the controversy had not damaged the image of the IPL or of cricket in India.
Chirayu Amin presented the full face of the bat to journalists on Tuesday, a day after taking over as the interim chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Addressing a barrage of questions on the muck surrounding the cash-rich tournament, the 62-year-old administrator insisted that the controversy had not damaged the image of the IPL or of cricket in India. “The brand image of IPL is very strong and no one can touch it. There is a little storm, but we can survive.
My job as chairman is to clean up the IPL,” Amin said.
The difference in the personalities of Amin and his predecessor, the high-flying suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi, was evident as the low-profile Baroda Cricket Association president faced the media for 16 minutes.
Amin, however, downplayed his unassuming personality saying, “It is not necessary to be flamboyant to be IPL chief. I have my own working style which will evolve.
The focus should be the interest of the cricket fans in the country.” He said he had not expected the job, but will fulfill his responsibilities diligently. “I have never asked for anything, but the BCCI has given me the responsibility. I didn’t expect to be put in the hot seat,” he said.
Amin promised a bigger, better and more transparent IPL next year. “The show will go on. IPL-4 will be on schedule and it would be bigger and better.
The cleaning up is already happening,” he said. But the new chairman wants to tone down the glitz and glamour associated with the tournament. “I don’t know about the cheerleaders, but the IPL nights will be stopped,” he said.
Amin minced no words while talking about Modi and made it clear that if found guilty, he will be punished.
When asked about Modi’s tweet on Monday - I am still the IPL commissioner - Amin hastily added, “But suspended.” On allegations that Modi has a stake in Rajasthan Royals, Amin said, “We have just started the inquiry. Once we are through with it, I will discuss everything with the governing council and then take a decision.”
He said allegations of financial irregularity, match-fixing and the rigging of bids are being probed. “Government agencies have been asking for various details. Series of documents have gone missing, but we will co-operate with the agencies and unearth it. And to have a smooth (investigation), we have kept Modi away from all this,” he said.
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