Calcutta: IPL XI will not lose its sheen in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, feels wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel.

"It's (ball-tampering incident) unfortunate. But I feel the IPL is a big brand. It's such a big tournament where a lot of young players and seniors have been around for years. A couple of incidents that happened outside the IPL should not affect it," Parthiv, who will be playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), said here on Thursday.

Parthiv, along with Pawan Negi, Aniruddha Joshi and Pavan Deshpande, were in town to promote the Royal Challenge Bold League.

Steve Smith and David Warner, who were captains of Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) respectively, have been banned for a year by Cricket Australia (CA) after the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal which rocked the sport.

The BCCI followed CA's footsteps and banned the pair from taking part in the IPL XI.

Asked if the treatment meted out to Smith and Warner was too harsh, Parthiv said: "I don't think I'm in a position to speak on what has happened. The ICC and CA have taken decisions...

"Right now the focus is how RCB can win and how I can contribute rather than thinking about something which has happened outside."

Parthiv, who was roped in by the Virat Kohli-led team this year, said it's great to be back with the franchise. "A lot has changed from where I was in 2014.

"I am coming with a lot of experience of winning the tournament (with Mumbai Indians). My performance individually has been very good in last few IPLs, as also in the domestic tournaments.

"Not many things will change for me. I've been working hard personally. Hopefully, I will help the team to win the tournament," said the 33-year old, who's still a part of India's five-day set-up and played the second and third Tests in South Africa recently.

"It's exciting times for all the wicketkeepers," Parthiv said when quizzed about the options Team India have at present with Dinesh Karthik also performing well and Wriddhiman Saha around as the first-choice red-ball wicketkeeper.

"Look at the competition around. If one gets injured, the other is always ready. There's a line of wicketkeepers in Indian cricket at this point in time.

"It brings the best out of us, and we know it. Whoever is playing is capable enough to do well for India. Whoever playing also has to be on top of their game," Parthiv said, adding competition is always good as it reflects the healthy state of the game in the country.

"It's not easy when you're playing for India. The competition will always be there. As long as the competition is there, Indian cricket will be in good shape."

Parthiv, who made his debut as a baby-faced 'keeper way back in 2002 in Nottingham against England, said keeping won't be easy when the team travels there in the summer.