Gavaskar hopes for controversy-free IPL

BCCI’s interim president satisfied with UAE fixtures

Interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sunil Gavaskar said the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) opening fixtures in the UAE have diverted last year’s spot-fixing controversies and has rightfully focused the attention towards cricket, according to ESPNcricinfo.

“Nobody can give any guarantees,” he said during an IPL council meeting, which was held to discuss the UAE leg of the tournament.

“We have put some measures in place and certainly the way the UAE leg went, it has given us some confidence.

“If it carries on the same way we will have this India-leg also free from any off-field controversies."

Gavaskar also claimed that the players in the IPL have been educated to spot and report suspicious activities in the future.

“I believe that the presence of the integrity officers is evidently big. I don't think people were confident about it, but now the integrity officer travels with every team.

“The younger players are the most susceptible sometimes. We have given them all the education that is necessary."

I bowled according to plan, says Tambe

Rajasthan Royals’ bowler Pravin Tambe feels content with his performance as he picked up the crucial wickets of Kevin Pietersen and Quinton de Kock in their seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils on Saturday.

"Pietersen's wicket was very important because he is a big player and everyone knows that,” said Tambe.

“I was the only spinner, so I thought he would target me. I knew the areas that I had to bowl in, and I bowled according to the plan and got his wicket.

"As for De Kock, I knew that there was a good possibility that he would get out if he took the chance by going after me."