Two players approached by bookies this IPL: Gavaskar

The matter has been reported to anti corruption unit, says Gavaskar

Interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and chief of cricket tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday admitted two cricketers had been approached by bookies in the ongoing season and the matter had been reported to the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit officials (ACSU).      

The former test cricketer said the issue regarding Brendon McCullum being approached by bookies was something to be concerned about. He assured no leak as far as confidentiality of the cricketers' discussions with ACSU had happened from IPL.      

"We have got an integrity officer attached with every team this time. It has made it a lot easier for players to communicate."

Gavaskar, with his colleagues in the IPL governing council (GC), is trying to chalk a road map to help young cricketers manage their careers.      

"I called Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman and Anil Kumble, the legends of the game, may be only the second day after taking over. They are contemporary cricketers. They know the pressures, tensions and situations. We had a lot of interaction. One of the things came through: A lot of youngsters need to be guided how to go about handling their careers.

"We have to yet formulate the plan. This is just the thinking of GC, to go to the working panel of BCCI."

A source said, "There could be scholarships for U-19 (under nineteen) cricketers from a fund to be created by IPL".      

But Gavaskar said, "This is an ongoing process. After the IPL, for most Indian players it will be an off season, apart from those selected for the Indian team to England. Maybe, the odd player goes and plays in the leagues in England.      

"The majority will be in India and that is the time we could have this ongoing programme. A call by BCCI will be taken very quickly to get the programme going.      

"We are hoping Tendulkar, Dravid would come in as they are fantastic role models for youngsters. The matter will be discussed in BCCI on how best to use the icons.”