Calcutta/New Delhi: The suspensions of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals is only a temporary setback to the IPL and the Lodha Committee's verdict will actually help restore people's faith in the tournament, said Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal, who headed the committee which probed the IPL betting scandal.
Two-time champions Super Kings and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals (RR) were Tuesday suspended for two years, along with life bans for Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, for bringing the game to disrepute.
"This is a very strong punishment. I think it will have a good affect on the IPL, the BCCI and the players. Many people feel it will have an adverse affect on the game, but I think this is a temporary setback and cricket will come out cleaner and people's faith in the IPL will be restored," Mudgal said.
While Justice Mudgal sounded happy with the recommendations of the Lodha committee, BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who will be in the spotlight at least for the next few days, welcomed the committee's verdict, saying that the Board is "committed to honour and respect judicial decisions".
He, however, was cautious enough to point out that the Board will have to go through the contents of the report before reacting to it.
"The BCCI is committed to honour and respect judicial decisions and it would give its observations after the entire report is read and a collective decision is taken," Dalmiya said in a BCCI media release.
Dalmiya asserted that the BCCI is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and cleansing the sport in order to restore the faith and confidence of millions of cricket-loving people.
The Supreme Court, in its judgment on the case earlier this year, had said that the Lodha committee's order will be binding on the BCCI and the parties concerned.
"The order passed by the committee shall be final and binding upon the BCCI and the parties concerned, subject to the right of the aggrieved party seeking redress in appropriate judicial proceedings in accordance with law," the apex court had said.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar has written to Dalmiya to call an emergent meeting to discuss the crisis.
