Hailing the BCCI disciplinary committee's decision to punish corrupt players on IPL spot-fixing scandal, the Indian Cricket Board interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya today said it's a victory of the sport.
"From the very first day (after the IPL scandal broke out), I had voiced concerns for clean-up of cricket and I always maintained that... This is a part of that exercise.
Undoubtedly, it's a victory of cricket," Dalmiya told reporters here.
"I am sure it will act as a deterrent and others will learn a lesson as well."
Acting on ACU chief Ravi Sawani's report, the BCCI disciplinary committee today slapped life bans on former India fast bowler S Sreesanth and spinner Ankeet Chavan.
The BCCI also handed out Amit Singh, a former Rajasthan Royals player, a five-year ban, while another Royals cricketer Siddharth Trivedi got a one-year suspension in the scandal which rocked the Twenty20 league this year.
There was no decision on another accused Ajit Chandila, who recently got out on bail.
Asked about Chandila, Dalmiya said: "He was recently released on bail so could not be interrogated. His role is still being probed, and a decision will be taken soon."
Ahead of the September 29 AGM, there may be a fresh setback for President-in-exile N Srinivasan with the Supreme Court deferring the BCCI vs Cricket Association of Bihar case but Dalmiya refused to answer questions relating to this issue.
"I'm not in a position to comment something about Srinivasan. I'm not aware," Dalmiya said.