Kolkata, May 25
From Madurai to Mumbai and then finally to Kolkata, the raging controversy tagged along with the BCCI president Narayanaswami Srinivasan for the most part of the day on Saturday.

The spot-fixing scandal seemed to have become secondary and the dominant chorus was for the head of the embattled chief even though he kept refusing to resign from the top post in the wake of his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings’ owner Gurunath Meiyappan being arrested and remanded in police custody till May 29.

“I am being targeted via my son-in-law. I have not done anything wrong and I will not allow being bulldozed or rail-roaded to resign,” he told TV news channels in Mumbai.

As the sun set, Srinivasan dashed to Kolkata where he was involved in discussions, trying to win over support for himself within the body during an informal meeting. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) hosted the dinner in the capacity of official venue hosting the IPL final. ()

The real test however will be on Sunday when BCCI officials will mull over the fate of their boss. Earlier, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla, who along with vice-president Arun Jaitley had met Law Minister Kapil Sibal regarding anti-fixing legislation, arrived in the city and met CAB chief Jagmohan Dalmiya. In addition to the fate of BCCI chief, the BCCI officials are also expected to chalk out a strategy regarding the spot-fixing scandal.

It is learnt that IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla, Jagmohan Dalmiya and some of state association members were present during the dinner. According to one of the members, who attended the meeting, Srinivasan, Shukla and Dalmiya had an hour long discussion prior to the meeting. The source also said that after their discussion the three met with each member individually, before having another private discussion.

The informal meeting was held without the BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale, who, along with a few more members is expected to reach Kolkata on Sunday.

Former BCCI chief Shashank Manohar’s name along with the senior vice-president’s name is doing the rounds for interim president in case the present chief resigns. The BCCI needs at least 2/3 majority in General Body Meeting to terminate the incumbent chief. However for that, at least 10 members must write to Secretary Sanjay Jagdale to call for GBM and 24 members must vote in favour of the decision.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the ongoing IPL spot-fixing scandal, former BCCI President I S Bindra today demanded immediate removal of Srinivasan, calling him "arrogant" and insisting that his continuance would damage Indian cricket.

Board of Control for Cricket in India president N Srinivasan, also the MD of India Cements — owners of the IPL team Chennai Super Kings — seems to be unaware of the extent of the infamy that has overtaken him since the spot-fixing scandal broke out last week. Five years of unfettered and unregulated crony-capitalist practices have reduced the reputation of Indian cricket to dust. The trust of millions of followers of the sport has been crushed. Srinivasan, who had initially characterised the sport-fixing controversy as a case of just three “bad apples”, is, as the MD of India Cements, complicit in the falsehood promoted by India Cements and Chennai Super Kings. In a display of unbelievable brazenness and foolishness, they now deny that Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan is the CEO or Team Principal of Chennai Super Kings. This is quite contrary to what CSK and Gurunath, who was arrested by Mumbai Police on Friday night, had been claiming for five years.

The arrogance and the sense of entitlement Srinivasan has displayed are breathtaking. Their root lies in the history of the IPL. Five years ago, the BCCI changed its rules to allow Srinivasan’s India Cements to buy the Chennai IPL franchise. The original rules forbade any BCCI official from having any commercial interest in any activity of the cricket body. When the IPL was set up in 2008, Srinivasan was the BCCI treasurer. After India Cements had secured the Chennai franchise, former BCCI president AC Muthiah filed a case against this contravention of the BCCI rules. It was then that the BCCI changed the rule. Muthiah’s petition has been hanging fire in the Supreme Court for years.

Gurunath is being investigated for his regular contact with Vindoo Singh, the actor who has been accused of being involved in spot-fixing. It’s impossible to believe that the BCCI/IPL could investigate and penalise the wrongdoing of CSK and Gurunath in a fair manner as long as Srinivasan remains the BCCI president. For this reason, Srinivasan must resign as the BCCI president. Each minute he hangs on to this position, the credibility of Indian cricket, and the faith of Indian cricket fans, dies a little bit. Go, Mr Srinivasan, please go. Now.

Kolkata, May 25
Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels that it is very important to get to the root of the spot-fixing scandal in order to restore the faith of cricket fans in India.

“The truth always sets you free; that’s what I believe. I really hope we find out the truth and get to the bottom of it, whatever it is and however painful it may be,” Dravid said, addressing mediapersons after the second qualifier of IPL-6 in Kolkata on Friday night.

Given the scandalous revelations coming out every day, it is hard for the average Indian fan to believe in the genuiness and the spirit with which the game is being played, Dravid feels the final match of the league has a big role to play.

“I think this tournament deserves a great final. I hope the team that plays the better cricket wins and we have a great game. We had a great game today; it went down to the wire (MI vs RR). And after all that has happened, as long as we get a great game of cricket, irrespective of whoever wins, hopefully cricket will come out the winner.”

Dravid did not buy the argument that the Indian Premier League should be shut down as it has become the fountainhead of controversies, with new and bigger ones emerging out every day. Rather he had a word of praise, something rare these days, for the tournament as a whole, though the veteran in the same breath admitted that it is facing enormous challenges at present and there is an urgent need to find a way out.

The malaise IPL is suffering is no different from the one international cricket is going through. Addressing the issue is more important than just making sweeping statements, he believes.

“The cricket’s great, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I have always said the IPL in itself is a fantastic tournament, a great tournament. There are a lot of positives about it but there are challenges in the IPL as well, as we have seen in the last ten days. Not only this, there are other challenges that come up from time to time and have to be dealt with. There is no point, if you completely throw away the tournament; it is like throwing away the baby with the bathwater. It’s just a question of correcting some of the challenges it continuously faces, like any tournament. The issue of betting is not only about the IPL. It has been seen in the past also in international cricket. We don’t stop international cricket because of that. If that yardstick was used, then we should stop all forms of cricket. But I think we need to sort the issues out rather than make big statements like cancel the IPL and throw it away and all that because there is some really good positives that do come out of it.”

On his future, Dravid felt he’s had enough and CLT20 would be his last campaign. “At 41, 12 months is a long way away. We have luckily qualified for the Champions League; I think that will be it.”

Recollecting the tumultuous last 10 days, the Rajasthan Royals captain said, “It was a difficult phase, it was something that I had never experienced before, so it was unique in that sense. You plan for a lot of things-you plan for disappointments, you plan for failing, you know how to deal with that. But stuff like this comes up, you don’t know ... it’s quite challenging. I was lucky that we had good spirit in the team. The team and the support staff showed great character,” he said.

“And while it was a challenge, I am happy to have gotten over it in some ways. I don’t think things will ever be the same. I think it is going to take a bit of time to get over it for all of us. We had to get ready and play these games. But I think after this, when we get back to our houses, the whole thing is going to take some time to get used to,” Dravid added.

Kolkata, May 25
In ideal conditions this would have been the most fitting final in the world’s biggest T20 league. Two star-studded teams, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, who have bulldozed their way through the league stage and then play-offs to romp into the final, but in the real world, things are far, far opposite to it.

In the wake of the happenings that have been calamitous in proportions for BCCI, the final match of Indian cricket board’s marquee event has been eclipsed like never before in the six years of its existence.

Two-time champions and five-time finalists Chennai Super Kings’ on-field performance has been totally eclipsed by their management’s alleged indiscretions.

With clamour for scrapping the team from the league getting shriller, their on-field performance is of little relevance now; how the owners own up and pay for their misdeeds in the near future acquires prime interest now.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, the eternal favourites of IPL, have been lost somewhere in the din.

For those cricket fans who can leave controversies behind and follow the game for the love of it, there are no clear favourites. Both teams have the wherewithal to make it count in the final. Chennai Super Kings will try to deflect the negativity by winning the title for the third time while, Mumbai Indians would love to realize their dream, devoid of any hype surrounding them.

Both Chennai and Mumbai have the world’s best Twenty20 specialists-Michael Hussey, Dwayne Smith, Ravindra Jadeja and Kieron Pollard-in their ranks. The pace battery is loaded in favour of Mumbai Indians-Albie Morkel and Mohit Sharma (CSK) for Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard (MI).

However, Ravi Chandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can tweak the tale in the spin-friendly Eden conditions. Chennai have been a part of four consecutive, five overall, finals but Mumbai still have to avenge their 2010 final defeat.

Likely XIs

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (C), Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Dirk Nannes.

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (C), Dwayne Smith, Aditya Tare, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Kieron Pollard, Ambatti Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha, Rishi Dhawan.

Ever since the Indian Premier League came into existence, the high-decibel mindless blabber by hosts, Bollywood celebrities, former players and commentators has become a part and parcel of it. In some ways, it has come to define it. Anything to everything is discussed threadbare. But not cricket, the game per se. Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Rameez Raja, Sanjay Manjeraker, Navjot Sidhu, Harsha Bhogle —most of them BCCI contracted — have been muted in their responses when it comes to spot-fixing or the other malaises afflicting the game.

To see the cheerleaders gyrate to groovy music is nothing new, but to see former ‘greats’ like Navjot Singh Sidhu and Rameez Raja mimicking, ridiculously, funny dance steps, makes for nothing short of an amusing sight, and this when the game is going through the most turbulent of times in India.

Is it the conflict of interest, contractual obligations, the fear of being segregated or just plain indifference?

Till the time money keeps flowing into their pockets, nobody sees anything, nobody hears anything. — TNS

Kolkata, May 25
As if the recent happening were not enough to dog the final, John Wright slipped in one more in a series of betrayal saying, “Sachin probably is doubtful for the final. He has been a part of Mumbai Indians family and has contributed in team’s journey till now but we can’t say anything. We are monitoring his injury.” A day before Anil Kumble had hinted about Sachin’s unavailability saying, “We are racing against time. It will take six-seven weeks to heal the wrist injury.”

Kolkata, May 25
The spate of betrayals refuses to leave this edition of the Indian Premier League. A day before the final of the BCCI’s premier event, the two captains Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) and MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) dealt another blow when they chose to give the customary joint press conference a miss.

Instead, the two coaches Stephen Fleming (CSK) and John Wright (MI) came to the fore but did not answer any query regarding the raging controversy. A poker-faced Fleming said, “The players and support staff are distressed by the allegations concerning the franchise and the IPL. The players and support staff have no direct knowledge of either the betting or the separate spot fixing allegations.”

“We have played every match to the best of our ability and are very proud of our record of having appeared in the play-offs in all six seasons of the IPL.” Such was the unease and discomfort in coach’s reply that he struggled to find words, often taking prolonged time to think what to say next. — TNS

Monaco, May 25
Germany’s Nico Rosberg scorched to his third successive Formula One pole position with team mate Lewis Hamilton completing a front row lockout for Mercedes at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday.

The pole was the fourth in a row for Mercedes, whose qualifying form has faded in the races so far this season, and second successive sweep of the top two places.

Red Bull’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel qualified third, on a drying track after a damp session, with Australian team mate and last year’s winner Mark Webber lining up alongside.

Title contender Kimi Raikkonen, four points behind Vettel after five races, starts fifth for Lotus with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in sixth place for a race where overtaking can be extremely tricky. Rosberg could become the first son of a Monaco Grand Prix winner to win the most glamorous race on the calendar - 30 years on from his world champion father Keke’s 1983 victory for Williams - but he was not about to get ahead of himself.

“It’s always nice to hear statistics like that but it doesn’t change much for tomorrow,” said the Monaco resident who grew up in the Mediterranean principality and had dominated every practice session through the treacherous metal-fenced streets.

“In Barcelona we were struggling a lot in the race and I finished 70 seconds behind the winner. We’re improving step by step, but there are still a lot of questions remaining. It (the tyre wear) is still our weakness but we’ll make the best of it and who knows.” — Reuters

New York, May 25
David Rudisha was hailed as a super-runner after his world-record breaking victory in the 800 metres at last year’s London Olympics. The Kenyan’s name was added to track and field’s A-list alongside Usain Bolt and Mo Farah. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of Rudisha.

Politicians wanted to be photographed with him, talk show hosts wanted to interview him and promoters were dreaming up ways to get him and Bolt to race each other.

For a fleeting moment, the notoriously shy and humble Rudisha lapped up the attention. Then he disappeared from the limelight, retreating to his homeland. Now it’s back to work, as he wants to win another gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The temptation to cash in on his fame was rejected. The lure of money and offers to fly around the world were turned down. “I just want to run,” Rudisha told reporters on Friday on the eve of the New York leg of track and field’s Diamond League series. “I want to run the perfect race.”

“I don’t want to say what is possible,” he said. “I think maybe, for myself, 1:40.5 is possible.” — Reuters

Rio de Janeiro, May 25
Brazil’s Neymar is on the verge of choosing one of two offers from un-named clubs, reported to be Spanish suitors Barcelona and Real Madrid, after Santos agreed on Friday to transfer him.

Santos said they had ended a three-year fight to keep the 21-year-old, Brazil’s big hope for next year’s World Cup finals, and agreed to a transfer, giving him the right to choose which offer to accept, though a decision was not imminent.

“In the face of the offers and the player’s contract, the management committee of the club decided to sell the player,” Santos said in a statement. “At a meeting with the representatives of Santos FC’s management committee, the forward Neymar Jr was informed about the proposals received by the club and will analyse them in the coming days before making a definitive decision,” Santos added in a later statement.

“I’m happy by the interest from both clubs, it makes me proud, but now I’m going home because my mother’s waiting,” Neymar was quoted by Gazeta Esportiva as saying as he left Vila Belmiro with his father.

Gazeta said Neymar would turn out for Santos in their opening match of the Brazilian championship against Flamengo in Brasilia on Sunday. Representatives of Spain’s two leading clubs were in Brazil and Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper put the latest offer from Barcelona at about $36.12 million.

Should Neymar go for the most likely option of moving to Barcelona, he will play alongside Argentine Lionel Messi. The Spanish champions are looking to revamp their stellar squad after a slump during which they have been eliminated from the Champions League in the semifinals. — Reuters

Virginia Water (England), May 25
Sergio Garcia spoke of his unending gratitude to the Wentworth galleries after soaring into title contention at the PGA Championship with a sizzling four-under-par 68 in Saturday’s third round.

The 33-year-old Spaniard was embroiled in a racism row with Tiger Woods earlier this week and had to issue an unreserved apology after making a “fried chicken” jibe at the world number one.

Garcia was almost lost for words as he was asked to describe the reaction he had received from the crowd at the European Tour’s flagship event. “It’s getting better every day, there’s no doubt everybody has made it so much easier for me,” he told reporters after finishing with a five-under total of 211.

“The crowds here, I don’t have words to explain what I feel towards them. They have been amazing, every single tee, every single green, cheering me on, and I can never pay them back.”

Garcia said former world number one Lee Westwood had also made a remark to him about how good the fans had been to the Spaniard.

“I think Lee was playing behind on Thursday and he said to me, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard a roar like that for anybody going on to the first tee here’, said the Ryder Cup stalwart. “That was very nice.

“I love playing here and I love playing in the UK. I’ve always said it, in my mind, these are the best crowds we have — they really understand the game of golf and what it’s all about.”

This week is Garcia’s first appearance at the PGA event since 2000 but it does not sound as though it will be the last. “I would love to, for sure, come back as many times as possible,” he said.

The warmer weather, after two days of eight-degree Celsius temperatures, persistent rain and bone-chilling winds, also contributed to Garcia’s sunny outlook after he mixed six birdies with two bogeys. — Reuters

Paris, May 25
David Beckham was not included in Paris St Germain’s squad for their final Ligue 1 game of the season at Lorient on Sunday as the former England captain headed into retirement.

The 38-year-old midfielder had expected as much after his special send-off in Paris last weekend, saying he did not think he would play on the artificial pitch at the Brittany side because the surface could aggravate previous Achilles injury problems.

Beckham was not among the 19-man squad named by manager Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday. The Englishman had been made captain for what turned out to be his final game in last week’s 3-1 victory over Stade Brest and he had wiped away tears when he was substituted in the 81st minute. That was his 10th Ligue 1 appearance and brought the curtain down on a career that has taken him from Manchester United to Real Madrid to Los Angeles Galaxy to PSG. — Reuters