The brand value of Indian Premier League will not get affected by the recent ball tampering scandal that rocked the cricketing world, feels Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.
Australian captain Steven Smith and his deputy David Warner were involved in a pre-meditated plan to tamper with the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa and let Cameron Bancroft carry out the act.
The scandal has generated widespread condemnation stretching beyond sport, including Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said it "bitterly disappointed the whole nation".
The row had its repercussion in IPL 2018 as well as the Aussie duo will not be allowed to play in the T20 franchise tournament because of their roles in ball tampering.
"It's unfortunate. But IPL has been a very big brand. It's such a big tournament with a lot of young players and seniors have been around for years. A couple of incidents that has happened outside the IPL should not affect," Patel told reporters on the sidelines of a Royal Challengers Bangalore event here.
Smith and Warner have been banned for a year while rookie Bancroft was given a nine-month ban by Cricket Australia.
"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," Patel said.
Having won the IPL twice (2015 and 2017) with Mumbai Indians, Patel is back with RCB after an earlier stint in 2014, and hopes to contribute in winning the elusive title for the Virat Kohli-led side.
"A lot has changed from where I was in 2014. I'm coming with a lot of experience of winning the tournament. My performance individually has been very good in last few IPLs, also in the domestic tournaments.
"Nothing many things will change for me. I've been working hard personally. Hopefully I will help the team to win the tournament," Patel said.
"RCB have played two finals (in IPL and CLT20), but could not convert to tournament winning performance. There's no point analysing what happened in last few years. We could have done it (the analysis) if it was the same team."
"It's a great franchise. Honestly we had a great time may not be on the field but the off the field we gelled really well then. We could not convert it into winning performance. It's a great set up. They look after players really well, the practice facilities etc..."
"A captain's job is to push you, as a leader if you want results you want everyone to give more than 100 per cent. There's no complains about captain pushing you. Setting the right example."
There's a line of wicketkeepers in Indian cricket at this point of time. It brings the best out of us, and we know it."
"It's not easy when you're playing for India. The competition will always be there. As long as the competition is there, the Indian cricket is in good shape."
"When you're wicketkeeping that's your primary job but when you're out there as a batsman, you have to think that you're capable enough to contribute in hundreds and not in 20s and 30s -- I'm talking about Test cricket. It's as good as allrounders' job. It's not easy."
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