Super Kings seek to distance themselves from spot fixing murk

Kolkata : Amid the growing chorus for sacking BCCI chief and Chennai Super Kings boss N. Srinivasan in wake of the spot fixing allegations, his team Saturday sought to distance itself from the raging controversy.

Appearing before the media on the eve of Indian Premier League final against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens Sunday, team coach Stephen Fleming read out a statement asserting that its players and support staff have no knowledge of betting and spot fixing.

Incidentally, the press meet was scheduled to be addressed by CSK skipper M.S. Dhoni but the dashing keeper-batsman preferred to give it a miss, amid questions raised over his wife Sakshi’s presence beside arrested actor Vindoo Dara Singh at the IPL VIP box. Vindoo is now facing grilling in police custody for his alleged involvement in spot fixing.

Fleming, however, apologised before the media for Dhoni’s absence, but said: “With the rain, we decided to keep the team back at the hotel for the preparation for tomorrow’s match”.

Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma, slated to accompany Dhoni in the media meet, too did not turn up.

“The players and support staff are distressed by the allegations and news reports concerning the CSK franchise and the IPL. We have played every match to the best of our ability, and are very proud of our record of having appeared in the play-off in all six seasons of the IPL.”

“The players and support staff have no direct knowledge of either the betting or the separate spot fixing allegations,” said the handwritten statement.

“As difficult as it is, all our focus is now on preparing for the IPL final tomorrow,” it said.

Following the arrest of Gurunath Meiyappan- Srinivasan’s son-in-law and theCSK CEO, there has been a growing clamour for sacking the BCCI chief as well the IPL franchise.

With BCCI terminating two IPL franchises on financial matters, critics have been seeking the cancellation, or at least the suspension of CSK, in the aftermath of the controversy.

Meanwhile, an embattled but defiant Srinivasan arrived in the city Sunday evening and is holding a meet with the BCCI office bearers.

Srinivasan who has refused to step down as the board president might Sunday stir another controversy if he does the honour of handing over the trophy to winners of the IPL final.