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Shukla’s failure to keep the IPL clean has stained the tournament’s name
First it was Lalit Modi and now Rajiv Shukla has joined the list as the second Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner to resign after failing to detect illegal activities taking place throughout the tournament.
Shukla’s decision to resign came less than 24 hours after two top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials – secretary Sanjay Jagdale and treasurer Ajay Shirke – also stood down.
“I have decided to quit as IPL chairman,” Shukla told PTI. “It is a decision that I was pondering over for some time. I think it is time to step down. Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke resigned in the best interest of Indian cricket. I thought this is the right time.”
Shirke was surprised by Shukla’s move to quit and noted that the BCCI now faces the challenge of dealing with the huge number of resignations.
“It is his decision,” Shirke told Times Now. “He’s in the eye of the storm, he must have realised the gravity of what he felt.
“It is never too late, the question is what are the steps being taken from now on to restore the faith and restore transparency. No one is able to pinpoint the faults and what steps should be taken.”
Shukla took over as IPL commissioner in September 2011 and was reappointed in 2012.
Meanwhile Jagdale stated the BCCI need to authorise a “massive clean-up job” in order to protect the small piece of reputation they have left.
“The spot-fixing and betting scandal has badly dented the image of cricket,” Jagdale said. “A massive clean-up job is required to overcome this, but this will take time as the damage done is very big.
“It is very difficult to stop fixing in cricket and BCCI has its own limitations, but the the board can strengthen its surveillance and curb the menace of fixing. At the same time, the BCCI will have to take strict action against cricketers who are found guilty. To earn the faith of fans, the BCCI administrators will have to show determination and work as a unit.”
Jagdale also announced that he would not return to the BCCI, even if president Narayanaswami Srinivasan does resign.
“I am not even looking at the possibility of coming back into the BCCI’s fold,” he added. “I think I am done with my innings.”