Dalmiya promises to clean up dirty pitch

Hints at banning after-match private IPL parties

Jagmohan Dalmiya, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s interim chief, has said he would leave no stone unturned in cleaning up cricket in India. He, however, said he would need some time to give back cricket its clean image, as he had been named BCCI’s interim president less than 24 hours ago.

“Whatever has happened in the past few weeks has surely dented cricket’s image; we can either sit and cry over split milk or do something about it. Thus, my primary attempt would be to clean the game of cricket in the country and I would leave no stone unturned for doing this,” he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale had communicated to the board he wouldn’t withdraw his resignation. “Another 24 hours have been given to Ajay Shirke (BCCI treasurer) to withdraw his resignation. I am hopeful and an optimistic person. So, let’s wait for another day for his final decision,” Dalmiya said, adding if vacancies existed, those would be filled up accordingly.

“But if you ask me who and how, you have to give me more time. Wait and see what powers I have,” he said. He added if required, he might represent BCCI in the International Cricket Council.

According to him, the question of how soon the probe committee would come out with a report on alleged spot fixing charges in Indian Premier League (IPL)-VI was a million-dollar one.

Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of N Srinivasan, who “stepped aside” from the board president’s post yesterday, has been accused of spot-fixing.

The interim president said banning after-match private IPL parties might be considered. However, he ruled out banning the cricketing extravaganza next year. “Our efforts would always be to keep it running,” he said.

On Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni owning about 15 per cent stake in a sports management company, Dalmiya said he would consider the matter. But at the moment, nothing could be said about it, he added. “It is all via the press that I am getting to know about this. I don’t know the details and more time has to be given,” he said.