IPL for money launderers: Bishan Bedi

Chandigarh: Former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi has questioned the source of big bucks being spent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and called the richest T20 cricket tournament “a platform for money laundering”.

The spin legend bowled this surprise delivery during sports literature festival PlayWrite on Saturday, in a Tricity where Kings XI Punjab was to start its home season versus Mumbai in a few hours. Bedi said: “No one knows where this (IPL) money comes from and where it goes? If it is not laundered, does a ghost steal it?”

Accusing the IPL of forcing even the Supreme Court to intervene in cricket, he said: People accuse me of maligning the IPL because it doesn’t pay me. If they think money can buy my opinion, they are free to try.” Told that loyal fans still went to the IPL games, he said: “People go to the IPL not to watch cricket but to be caught by one of the 40-odd cameras in the stadium and admire self on the big screen.”

Question why cricket in India should have a board of control, the veteran, 72, said: “Why should anyone control any game? Are there cricket control boards of England, Australia, or South Africa? Cricket is a monopoly sport in India because corporate houses are interested only in money spinners. Cricket can bring you money but not medals in the Olympics,” said Bedi, who has 266 wickets in the test cricket. The legend recommends Indian sports service to run the games without the controlling influence of politicians, bureaucrats, and police officers.