Maintaining firmly that his “conscience is clear”, new ICC Chairman N Srinivasan today said he has “done nothing to tarnish the image of the game” and will speak out once the Probe Committee headed by Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal tables the final report.
“Let the report come out and I will speak. At this point, I am at a disadvantage. I would like to say one thing. My conscience is clear. I have not done anything to tarnish the game, bring disrepute or done anything wrong. I do hope that this will come out cleanly. When there is something before the court, I don’t want to say anything more,” Srinivasan said.
Srinivasan reiterated that he has himself “stepped aside” from functioning as the BCCI President and does not interefere or intervene in its activities.
“I have stepped aside and I don’t have a habit of going inside and poking my nose,” he told NDTV.
He was sarcastic when asked about the never-ending controversy of his “conflict of interest”.
“What is conflict of interest? This is now going on for many years.”
Srinivasan said that it will be difficult for him to answer a question as to how it feels to be ICC Chairman despite such legal hassles.
“Difficult question to answer now that it’s all over. The attempts that were made in some quarters didn’t succeed and other members of the ICC reposed faith in BCCI and me. As a result, election was unanimous. So in hindsight, it’s difficult for me to say what was going through my mind at that time,” he said.
The India Cements supremo, which owns the high-profile Chennai Super Kings, feels that he is at a “disadvantageous position” as some matters are still pending in court.
“I am at a disadvantage as some matters are still pending in court. That’s why I am not able to speak freely.”
Srinivasan sought to downplay the negative reports in the western media about his appointment for the ICC's top job.
“Look at it the other way. This is what the newspapers say. So I can’t fight the media. That’s a perception. A headline that is given. Even some people said that I was barred. Actually, I had voluntarily stepped aside. What is important is that you have got to look forward.”