Gavaskar says 'sullied' IPL 2014 'should be remembered for cricket only'

Interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Sunil Gavaskar has called for a controversy-free seventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying that it should be remembered for the cricket only.

In his first press conference after taking over his role overseeing the IPL last week, the former Indian captain tackled the predictable bouncers aimed at him on the controversies plaguing the league and hoped that forthcoming edition would see a turnaround in the sullied image of the lucrative tournament.

According to Gulf News, expressing gratitude at the Indian Supreme Court's directive to appoint him in the post, Gavaskar said that after the final of the IPL on June 12, he wants people to remember the league for the quality of competition only and wants it as controversy-free as possible.

Gavaskar expressed concern over the state of wickets of the three venues and the practice facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah for the UAE leg of the IPL, although he added that the local police and the ICC have ensured their cooperation to keep any unscrupulous elements at bay.

An optimistic Gavaskar also said that he hoped that the IPL 2014 could work as a springboard for the future editions and help cricket take centre stage once again.

The seventh edition of the IPL was plunged into uncertainty when, as late as March 25, the apex court in India wanted the incumbent president of the BCCI, Narayanaswamy Srinivasan, removed, the report added.