Bengaluru: Cricketers should take charge of cricket keeping out politicians from the helm of affairs, said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) here recently.

He was speaking during the release of former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani’s autobiography “Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond the Twenty-Two Yards” at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the city.

Stating that politicians should be kept out as they were dangerous to the sport, Shivakumar said it was his personal opinion and added that he had no idea as to why he, being a politician, was invited for the release of the autobiography.

Lauding Kirmani for his contributions to cricket, the Deputy Chief Minister said Kirmani was not only a good cricketer but a great human being too.

“I have not come here as Dy.CM but as a fan of Syed Kirmani. During my school days, I was a great fan of B.S. Chandrashekar, G.R. Vishwanath and Kirmani who have made both the State and Country proud,” he said and added that in addition to these cricketers, other players like Brijesh Patel, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid among others had also made the State proud at the international level.

“Cricketers of yesteryears did not have the facilities that are being provided to present day cricketers. Despite facing hardship, they ensured to give their best for the country. Talented sportspersons will get opportunities, but to retain the place in the team needs a different personality for which Kirmani is a great example, DKS noted.

Former Indian Skipper Kapil Dev, Brijesh Patel, B.S. Chandrashekar, E.A.S. Prasanna, Anil Kumble, VVS Lakshman, Rahul Dravid, Infosys Founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and others were present.