Kolkata, July 9:
Former India skipper Ravi Shastri has hailed International Cricket Council (ICC) for choosing the beleaguered BCCI supremo N Srinivasan as its first chairman.
“If you want my answer, It’s a very good choice,” the cricketer turned commentator said on Srinivasan being appointed ICC chairman despite the Supreme Court stripping off the Chennai heavyweight’s powers as the BCCI chief pending probe into alleged corruption in the IPL.
“I don’t think you should jump the gun. There’s an inquiry going on, let that happen. Meanwhile the Supreme Court has said there’s no reason why Srinivasan can’t go and become the ICC chairman,” Shastri said at a promotional programme last evening.
Opinions may vary but the former all-rounder was of firm belief that Twenty20 was the ‘injection’ cricket needed.
“It was the injection the game needed to evolve. We’re very lucky to have got three faculties in a game of cricket. There is a place for all three formats. This is the only sport that has a place for three formats. It won’t happen in any other sport. I think T20 cricket was extremely important,” he said.
Shastri differed in the notion that present day youngsters are lured only to IPL ignoring Test cricket.
“It’s a misconception that everyone wants to just play the IPL. There might be a few who would be eyeing only IPL, but majority of the youngsters want to play for India and in Tests.
“The tournament has a lot of positives. I’ve seen more people wanting to follow the sport, more viewers, youngsters, families at the ground. At the end of the day it’s cricketing skills,” opined Shastri.
“Look at the standard of fielding, the quality of catches taken in this year’s IPL, even the running between the wickets. It’s fabulous.
“All these skills will help you in the five-day game as well; a brilliant run out may change the course of the Test match. There are a lot of positives that have come out of it. Ideally a player would want to play all three but if he’s stuck with one then so be it,” Shastri said. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel