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It is cricket that will sustain the IPL going forward: Clarke

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 20 2013 | 3:44 AM IST

The fifth edition of the league lost a bit of sheen with a television channel alleging that fixing of matches was rampant in the IPL.

If that was not enough Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan triggered a debate after being involved in a brawl with the Mumbai Cricket Association officials at the Wankhede stadium.

The dark spot got even bigger when Royal Challengers Bangalore's Australian recruit Luke Pomersbach was charged of molesting an American national at the team hotel here.

However, Clarke termed these incidents as "unnecessary distractions" and said "it is cricket that will sustain the IPL going forward."

"While what is happening isn't very good for the tournament, I don't think these things will have any lasting impact on the well-being of the tournament. As long as the standard of cricket played is of the highest standard, we will see the tournament gaining in strength in the years to come," Clarke told 'espnstar.Com'.

The 31-year-old, who recently got married to girlfriend and model Kyly Boldy, said the Twenty20 league will survive the onslaught because of the quality it provides.

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"I am very clear that the IPL is what it is because of the cricket played for a month and a half. Fans just love to watch their cricket in India and with the very best in the world playing the IPL, they have come out in huge numbers to support the tournament.

"It is important that all of us realise this and get cricket back in focus as early as possible," he insisted. MORE

  

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First Published: May 20 2012 | 5:45 PM IST

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