Indian cricket chief N. Srinivasan’s son-in-law ran the Indian Premier League’s Chennai Super Kings team, ex-Australian star Mike Hussey has claimed, in comments that could add fuel to a spot-fixing scandal.
Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan has been charged by Mumbai police with forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of contract and handing critical team information to alleged bookmakers.
But the embattled Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief, under fire for a family member’s alleged involvement in the scandal, has maintained that Gurunath was only a “cricket enthusiast” even though he sat in the team dug-out during matches and took part in IPL auctions.
Hussey, who has been part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise since the Twenty20 competition’s first edition in 2008, asserted in his new autobiography, Underneath the Southern Cross, that Meiyappan was running the team.
“Our owner was India Cements, headed by Mr. Srinivasan,” Hussey wrote, according to excerpts published on the ESPNCricinfo website. “As he was also on the board of the BCCI, he gave control of the team to his son-in-law Mr. Gurunath. He ran the team along with Kepler Wessels, who was (then) coach.”
Hussey is the first player to openly state that Meiyappan was in charge of the team. His comments could cause further trouble for Srinivasan, who won a third year in office on Sunday.
The Supreme Court has barred Srinivasan from taking charge until it has ruled on a petition by a cricket body in the eastern state of Bihar that he had no moral right to continue after Meiyappan was charged.
Srinivasan has distanced himself from Meiyappan, saying the law would take its own course and he himself could not be held accountable for his son-in-law’s actions.
The scandal has already seen two Rajasthan Royals players, Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and upcoming spinner Ankeet Chavan, banned for life by the BCCI.
An internal BCCI probe, which cleared Meiyappan and other IPL officials of wrongdoing, has been termed “illegal” by a court which ruled that Srinivasan may have had a hand in its formation.
davros
Guest
we should leave em the pakis ..let em play each other till they end up going to war ...they are both a corrupt disgrace ...and their is plenty of evidence for that last statement
Hookin' YT
Guest
Aus, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan need to cut India off. Isolate them. Their Test team is D grade away from home anyway.
ChrisUK
Guest
Nothing at all iffy about this one of course.... http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/story/676011.html
ChrisUK
Guest
Didn't the South Africans usually vote with India all the time in ICC meetings? It's often been England and Australia versus everyone else in recent years.
JGK
Roar Guru
Is anyone surprised by this?
davros
Guest
What can u say ? Really, BCCI have long been a corrupt disgrace!!! ....South Africa at this very moment is trying to stand up to them under the direction of Lalit Moody ...The no1 test nation have a test series in jeapordy with no schedule 5 weeks before its due to start Like I said what corrupt bullying disgrace !!!....now would be a great time to join forces with South Africa and instead of being weak as p..s lilly livered cowards...try and root out and bring about real change .... Do we have to go to india for this meaningless 1 day series so close to the ashes ? We are ruled by the BBL in this country and one of the main arguments is that we need our own source of revenue...well we have a massive new bbl deal in place with a fantastic income stream ...whats the problem ? yep just the usual administrators to scared to stand up and do what's right ! Leave the South Africans to their fate ...trouble is where does it end ?.... and it will more than likely be us in the same situation some time down the track