Harbhajan Singh supports BCCI, says IPL is not a 'tamasha' Lodha Sir

New Delhi, Oct 6: As the face-off between the BCCI and Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha committe continues, several cricketers have backed the board and lauded it for its contribution towards Indian cricket.

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Ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing on Thursday (October 7), several senior India players Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel have openly come out in support of the board and hailed the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The cricketers said that the board must be the credit for changing the face of Indian cricket and giving a platform to young cricketers.

"With all the due respect to Justice Lodha, IPL is not a 'tamasha' but it is a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. Players are getting lot of money and the competition is so good," Harbhajan was quoted by ANI as saying.

"IPL is one of the best things to happen to Indian cricket, maybe to world cricket too," he further added.

IPL is not a "tamasha" Lodha sir, it is for the young to showcase their talent; its one of the fav tournaments of ppl: Harbhajan Singh pic.twitter.com/GblCVBKxPp

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 6, 2016

Parthiv Patel too came out in the board's support and said, "IPL has changed Indian cricket for good, we learned so much from veteran world & national players."

IPL has changed Indian cricket for good, we learned so much from veteran world & national players: Parthiv Patel on Lodha committee report pic.twitter.com/LcSoVnHJBR

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 6, 2016

Veteran pacer Irfan Pathan too had similar thoughts on Lodha committee report.

"IPL gives a lot of opportunities & financial support to a lot of cricketers & a lot of other people. Unfortunate to see & hear what is being said about BCCI, and how its talked about. BCCI takes great care of all cricketers," the left-arm pacer added.

IPL gives a lot of opportunities & financial support to a lot of cricketers & a lot of other people: Irfan Pathan on Lodha committee report pic.twitter.com/8OyUhfBQsr

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 6, 2016

The cricketers' statement comes in the wake of reports that India may have to pull out of next year's Champions Trophy in England if the BCCI implements Justice RM Lodha Committee recommendations in toto.

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Board president Anurag Thakur raised his concerns on Monday (Oct 3). The BCCI has filed a reply in the Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 6) in which it has refuted allegations of non-compliance of the Lodha panel recommendations.

As per the reforms suggested by the Lodha Panel, there has to be a 15-day window before and after the IPL. The Champions Trophy is scheduled from June 1-18 while IPL is likely to end in last week of May.

"I don't know whether India will be able to play Champions Trophy or not. If you go by the Lodha Committee report you have to play either the IPL or the Champions Trophy. So BCCI has to take a call on that," Thakur said.

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