Sachin's interview causes few ripples

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is under pressure to seek explanation from Sachin Tendulkar for giving an interview to the press during the recent tour of Zimbabwe.

According to a senior member of the BCCI, "Tendulkar has committed a breach of contract by talking to the press when it has been clearly stated in the contract that only the captain is permitted to speak to the press."

Tendulkar, in an interview to an Indian news agency in Zimbabwe, said that he was not averse of captaining the Indian team again. The comment, especially during the tour when India's performance was below expectations, has led to speculations that the star player would like to regain the captaincy from Saurav Ganguly.

Many of the board members, especially from the East Zone, have decided to pressurise the BCCI to seek an explanation from Tendulkar on this matter. According to the source, the members are waiting for J.Y. Lele, the secretary of the BCCI, to return from the U.S. to raise the issue before him.

The interview has also given rise to speculation that there are differences between Tendulkar and Ganguly. It is understood that Ganguly is peeved at Tendulkar for having spoken to the press.

Tendulkar's contribution to the team as a bowler has been the topic of discontent between the two. While Ganguly feels that Tendulkar has not been contributing enough as a bowler, Tendulkar feels that he hasn't been given enough bowling opportunities.

Some of the BCCI members also have information about an argument between the two leading players in the dressing room.

The board member feels, "BCCI should seek an explanation from Tendulkar on his remarks on captaincy, as he had on his own given it up. Why has he changed his mind now, especially at a time when Ganguly has been proving himself as a good captain?

"Tendulkar should also be asked to justify on his calling a press conference at his residence to give details about his fracture, when the normal procedure is to inform the BCCI, and they in turn make a statement to the press on behalf of the player," he added.

However, efforts are also on to downplay the differences between the two players. A few BCCI members want the issue not to be blown out of proportion and are of the opinion that an official explanation should not be sought from Tendulkar in this regard. Pacifying the two groups within the BCCI, who are backing the two players, will be a tough task.