Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) was recently in news for all the wrong reasons after BCCI’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) initiated an inquiry into alleged fixing approaches during the T20 tournament. ACU Chief Ajeet Singh had revealed some players reported that they received WhatsApp messages from unknown people.
With the fixing and betting controversies, again making its way into the India cricket, veteran Sunil Gavaskar said that greed is something that is 'human' and cannot be cured.
"Greed is a thing which no amount of education, guidance, seminars with anti-corruption guys is going to help. Greed is something that is human. The best of societies, the most developed of societies still have criminals. In cricket also you will always have the odd person who will be swayed by greed. (It) could be some other reason that might force him to do something. That's something I don't think you can totally control," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"I would imagine sometimes the circumstances make a player think 'I can get away with it'. But you can't get away. Because it is so covered by television, every little aspect... you will be exposed as having done something wrong."
Tournaments like TNPL are believed to be more 'bookie-friendly' and prone to betting and corruption. However, Gavaskar believes that people should always support such leagues because it gives talent players a chance to showcase their skills.
"Look at the talent that it has provided from the districts. For example, the Karnataka Premier League, the number of people who have come from the interiors which otherwise even the best of Karnataka scouts couldn't have been able to see."
'Same with TNPL and all the other leagues that are happening (in India). I think these leagues are very, very good. It is giving more talent to India cricket, talent which would have otherwise gone untapped," he added.