Cricket is a far greater game than controversies: Aravinda de Silva

Srinagar: International cricket has been through a crisis of credibility in the past few years owing to corruption scandals but former Sri Lankan batsman Aravinda de Silva on Monday said the sport is far greater than all the controversies put together.

"Well, I am not aware of much news about cricket (but) I hear about those things every now and then, but I think cricket is a far greater game than all that. I am sure it will get through all that and I hope the administrators get back together and put things right for the sake of the game," de Silva told reporters here.

The spectre of match-fixing, spot-fixing and betting has time and again reared its head to malign the game in the past few years.

De Silva, however, asserted that the game unites people and despite the controversies, it will ultimately emerge as the winner. "I think it is a game which brings unity among people and it is something which brings cultures together, especially the IPL where I see a lot of overseas cricketers take part and mixture of cultures helps everyone. I am sure cricket will be ultimately the winner," he said.

The former all-rounder, who was instrumental in Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup win, also batted for resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. "I feel people should forget about all the other issues and sports should be given more priority and it should win the hearts of the people," he said.

Responding to a question about Indian batsman Virender Sehwag not being given a farewell match, de Silva said the cricket boards should support those players who had contributed to the game.

"Well, that is up to the cricket boards really. I cannot comment very much on that because I have no idea. (But) I guess that some people who have contributed so much, I think they should be appreciated by any cricket board," he said.

The former cricketer was here to flag-off 'the goodness drive' -- the country's first all-electric car expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari organised by Mahindra Reva to create awareness about electric cars.

Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.