VVS Laxman says suspension of both the IPL teams is very unfortunate

VVS Laxman says suspension of both the IPL teams is very unfortunate: Retired India cricketer VVS Laxman feels that though the IPL had had considerable positive impact, nothing is bigger than the game and its supremacy must be ensured at any cost. Though he said that the suspension of two teams from the cash rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is unfortunate but he maintained that cricket will eventually emerge victorious from the mess.

In an interview with TOI the former India legend said, “Suspension of both the IPL teams is very unfortunate. There are a lot of positives as far as IPL is concerned. No one is bigger than the game. And I think the focus is and will always be on cricket and cricket will be the ultimate winner”.

The Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee suspended the two IPL franchises on July 14 and banned their two team officials, Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, respectively, for life from cricketing activities. In the interview Laxman further added that it is too early to call it a setback for young players of both the franchisees. “I am a big believer the exposure that young cricketers get from sharing the dressing rooms with some of the legends in the game is just because of IPL. I think there are very few negative incidents in IPL, but overall I think IPL is positive for budding cricketers for the country,” he said.

Commenting about the 4 member working group formed to study the Lodha panel verdict by the BCCI, he said it was too early to expect any outcome and that the board would take forward the matter in the best possible way.

The former right-hand batsman also said BCCI should focus on hiring the best man as the coach of the India team irrespective of his nationality. Laxman also praised the role of the team’s director Ravi Shastri but insisted the final call rests with the captain. The Hyderabadi tipped Virat Kohli to excel in his new role as India’s Test skipper because of his aggressive and positive mentality.