BCCI left red-faced as England Test series looms

Dubai: The battle between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Lodha Committee, meant to clean up Indian cricket, has got murkier with the England team being forced to tour India without a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as regards the team’s accommodation, daily allowances, reimbursement, quality of food, security, travel arrangements, prize money and television revenues.

As per the Supreme Court’s October 21 interim order, BCCI is barred from releasing any funds to state associations until they implement the Lodha Committee reforms meant to clean up Indian cricket. Though state associations hosting the five Test matches between India and England such as Saurashtra, Punjab, Andhra, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu may try and meet the expenses, the news that BCCI is playing hosts without any MOU, as is the rule, has badly hit the image of BCCI internationally. A host state like Punjab has already made it clear that BCCI will have to meet expenses such as hotel bills, stay of match officials and flight or they will not be in a position to host the Test match.

The reluctance to adhere to the recommendations has resulted in a court order whereby BCCI cannot take important decisions without the committee’s consent. It includes signing of the memorandum of understanding with the ECB for the bilateral series and now even the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights tender. Any financial transaction of the board relating to future contracts will now be on hold.

With the first Test match set to commence from Wednesday at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, the biggest discussion is more about the battle between BCCI and Lodha Committee than on the strengths and weakness of the teams or the likely result of the match. Televisions and newspapers are flooded with news leaks and statement from the BCCI on this issue.

The reluctance of the BCCI to implement the Lodha Committee suggestions is that it can take the power away from some states which have bigger say in Indian cricket and will be forced to adhere to democratic principles.

The Lodha Committee was formed in January, 2015 following allegations of some of the officials’ involvement in the 2013 IPL corruption scandal.

The biggest stumbling block for the present officials in implementing the Lodha Committee recommendations is the diktat that ministers, politicians and civil servants cannot being allowed to hold BCCI offices and each state being allowed only one vote at BCCI annual general meeting. The latter will deny voting rights from associations without territorial definitions like Railways, Services and also Mumbai and CCI which functions within Maharashtra.

With Supreme Court having intervened and asked to follow the Lodha committee recommendations, there seems to be o way out for the BCCI. Right now, the option before officials is either implement the recommendation or resign because by not adhering to a court order only further trouble can follow.

The upcoming Australia series, Champions Trophy and even IPL may be in trouble if not sorted out quickly. Right now, BCCI seems to be indulging in a game of brinkmanship — where they may be ready to have events cancelled than introduce reforms to clean their administration.

Under the judge’s orders

(Following are the key recommendations)

• Each state will have only one vote at BCCI elections.

• Ministers and civil servants cannot hold BCCI offices

• BCCI and state office bearers must not be over 70 years old

• No person can hold office at the BCCI and state association simultaneously

• No person can hold more than three, three-year terms as a BCCI official, and no official can serve consecutive terms.