Greed is a human thing, can't be cured: Gavaskar on TNPL fixing row

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that it is difficult to completely eradicate match-fixing from cricket as there will always be an odd person swayed by greed, which cannot be cured.

Former India captain’s comments came after players and officials of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) were accused of having been involved in match-fixing. An investigation is currently underway in the matter.

“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,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by ‘Cricbuzz’ website.

Gavaskar reportedly made these comments at an event in Bengaluru.

Also read: BCCI ACU chief calls for match-fixing law, legalised betting to contain corruption

“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,” he added.

Gavaskar, however, urged that there no longer exists a chance for the wrongdoers to get away with their faults.

“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,” he said.

Also read: TNPL fixing scandal: TNCA appoints committee to enquire reports

He, nonetheless, supported domestic cricket leagues saying that they contribute in bring out new talent which would otherwise never come to limelight.

“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,” he pointed out.

“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.

(With inputs from agencies)