We will overcome IPL crisis, says Sachin Tendulkar

NEW DELHI: The IPL controversy has left Indian cricket in complete chaos but senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar said he is optimistic that the game would tide over this crisis.

Reacting to the controversy that so far has cost union minister Shashi Tharoor his job, invited Income-Tax surveys and allegations of corruption, nepotism and rigged bidding against IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, Tendulkar said the game was strong enough to survive the crisis.

"I think when that competitiveness is witnessed by millions, you leave all those things behind," said Tendulkar.

"Life is not a smooth journey always, there are sometimes rough patches in between and you overcome all those hurdles. I'm sure cricket will help to overcome all those hurdles," he told 'Times Now' channel.

According to Tendulkar, what matters to a common fan was a competitive match between two sides.

"People are waiting to see (IPL matches). Every evening they are switching on their television to see a competitive match. Any form of competitive sport is fantastic to watch and it's not only cricket. It could be any sport, which is what even I love.

"I personally feel all these obstacles and hurdles will be (overcome)," said the Mumbai Indians skipper.

Tendulkar said incidents like this do not distract the players, who forget everything else when they enter a ground.

"There are lot of things happening off-the-field, outside the boundary line but once you cross the line, whatever you planned you want to go out and execute those plans," Tendulkar explained.