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"It has always hurt me when the game of cricket is in the news for the wrong reasons," Tendulkar said in a statement issued Friday. "The developments in the last two weeks have been shocking and disappointing. As cricketers we're always taught to go out, fight hard, give our very best and play in the true spirit of the game."
The 40-year-old Tendulkar, who holds most batting records in international cricket including most runs and centuries in both tests and one-day internationals, urged administrators to take charge of the situation.
"During this difficult phase, I join every cricketer, from the boys in the maidans (fields) across the country to those who represent clubs, states and the country, who trust the authorities to take sincere steps to get to the root of the issue. The faith reposed by the millions of fans should be justified and we owe it to them to ensure that Indian cricket is all about pride and joy," he said.
Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested two weeks ago for allegedly manipulating certain parts of IPL games involving their Rajasthan Royals team and receiving money from bookmakers in return.
Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of Indian cricket board chief Narainswamy Srinivasan, has also been arrested by police for being in touch with illegal bookmakers.
Sreesanth has denied his involvement in spot-fixing but charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust have been brought against all three players and they stand suspended by the BCCI pending an inquiry.
Sreesanth and Chandila are in jail while Chavan has been given interim bail as he is getting married on June 2.
