PCA chief I S Bindra today threw his weight behind embattled Lalit Modi, saying the suspended IPL Commissioner should be given a fair trial.
Modi is facing corruption charges and was served a show-cause notice by the Indian Cricket Board on April 25, the day season-III of the IPL came to an end.
Bindra, who is also ICC Principal advisor, said IPL owes its success to the marketing skills of Modi.
"It was due to the marketing genius of a maverick – Lalit Modi - that Indian cricket finally emerged as a colossus in the international firmament in terms of reach and financial clout. Indian cricket became the epicenter of world cricket and the envy of the cricketing fraternity during this key phase," Bindra said in a statement.
The former BCCI President said he was not defending Modi and attacked BCCI officials for leaking information to media.
"I would like to make it abundantly clear that I hold no brief on behalf of Mr. Modi. I am not going to prejudge the issue and in accordance with the constitutional and principles of jurisprudence enshrined in our democratic fabric I will refuse to hold anyone guilty before giving a fair opportunity.
"Let us not forget that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. I can opine with conviction that part of the blame lies with our own cricketing fraternity for being an instrument in leaking all kinds of unconfirmed reports without veracity or merit," he said.
The former BCCI President also lashed out at media saying it ignored the other important aspects of the league and presented Modi as a villain.
"The media has been ready with the guillotine to hang the hero of the IPL. He has been accused of match fixing, rigging of bids, laundering of money, and all kinds of allegations pertaining to financial irregularities and dealings based on unsubstantiated evidence," he fumed.
