Sivaramakrishnan banks on experience to contribute to ICC panel

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has responded to criticism of his election to the ICC's cricket committee by pointing to his 33-year association with the game, first as an international cricketer and then as a commentator. Sivaramakrishnan was elected over FICA president Tim May in a hotly contested election that saw hectic lobbying by both sides.

"I am sure there are a lot of cricket-related matters that are going to be discussed," Sivaramakrishnan told CNN IBN. "And I think I have been around for a long time. I've been associated with the game for around 33 years and I have a lot of contribution to make."

He was non-committal about the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) issue. The BCCI has been opposing ICC's attempts to introduce DRS, which was recommended by the cricket committee in 2011.

"I don't know whether it is a part of the agenda. If it is on the agenda, then we will look into the matter. I am not the sole person who controls the committee, I just have an opinion," he said. "I will say whatever I feel about the DRS in the meeting and it's the final consensus of the committee whether to take the decision to implement DRS or leave it optional. So, it's not entirely my call."

He has also responded to charges of proximity to the Chennai Super Kings franchise by saying his association with its parent company, India Cements - owned by BCCI president N Srinivasan - goes back 16 years, well before the franchise was created.

"I am not an employee of Chennai Super Kings," Sivaramakrishnan said. "I have been an employee of India Cements for the last 16 years and India Cements owns Chennai Super Kings. That has happened in the last six years. I have served India Cements as an employee and played cricket for them and I see no attachment with the Super Kings at all. In fact, I have done nothing at all for the Super Kings."