Former India opener Ravi Shastri has vehemently defended the Board of Control for Cricket in India which is facing widespread flak after the fallout of the spot-fixing scandal in the Indian Premier League.
Shastri, now commentator, is known to toe the board’s line vociferously, said the cricket establishment was above the fans for players. He also praised the players and the Board for bringing Indian cricket out of what fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle called ‘turbulent times’.
“Players and the establishment have pulled Indian cricket out of the spot-fixing scandal. I don’t agree with the word turbulent though. The establishment does a lot for the players from the beginning of their careers and fans come later, when a player makes it big,” Shastri said here at a function in memory of former Indian cricketer Dilip Sardesai.
The former all-rounder also praised India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was under pressure after losing the home series against England.
“I had no doubt in mind that Dhoni wasn’t close to being dropped after the series white washes in Australia and England and home Test series loss to England. His body language was positive,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shastri feels that Sachin Tendulkar won’t quit any time soon in Tests and may come out at Lord’s next year also.
“He (Tendulkar) will not quit the game so soon as you all keep saying. He will continue to play and you will see him at Lord’s next year too,” said Shastri.