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Selection panel choices add to BCCI’s defiance
The mighty Indian cricket board has never been averse to opening new fronts. Still, the senior selection committee announced at its annual general meeting in Mumbai
The mighty Indian cricket board has never been averse to opening new fronts. Still, the senior selection committee announced at its annual general meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday seems to be the work of someone who takes vicarious pleasure in such things.
For all its defiance, the BCCI has run into an immovable force in the Supreme Court-empowered Justice RM Lodha committee, which has recommended root-and-branch administrative reforms. The AGM took steps that impact the future when the panel had directed it to take steps only on ‘routine matters’ that concern the previous year.
Ahead of the AGM, president Anurag Thakur had argued that the BCCI can’t stop working because of pending court matters. On the face of it, he has a point. However, the fundamental issue is about overhauling the BCCI administration. And the board could face contempt of court for the business conducted at its AGM.
The Lodha panel deadline to BCCI for ushering in constitutional reforms is September 30, and it has called an emergent meeting on the very last day. This seems an act of defiance, an attempt to send a message to the panel that it was carrying out changes only because it has no way out.
GENUINE GROUSE
However, a genuine grouse the board has concerns unnamed ‘Lodha panel sources’ making media comments in response to BCCI’s every public pronouncement, warning the board against flouting directives. The committee of former Supreme Court judges would be expected to be direct, and act on the basis of BCCI records than resort to shadow boxing.
The board, in a statement, has argued that it has to take decisions to run the show. But it seems to be brinkmanship, more in the hope that it can somehow meet the Lodha panel halfway. Considering the Supreme Court’s firm stand, it may not happen.
While the BCCI versus Supreme Court saga is far from closure and a review plea is pending in the court, the composition of the senior selection panel could trigger a fresh controversy.
Lodha panel has recommended a three-member committee of former Test players. For that to be effective, it wants regional scouts to be appointed. The BCCI has not done that, and gone ahead and picked a five-man panel, and that too lightweights.
Two have not played Tests, and the others collectively have figured in 13. BCCI selection panels have not courted controversy in the last two decades, and that is because of the stature of those heading it. The last three were former skippers Dilip Vengsarkar and K Srikkanth and former Test batsman, Sandeep Patil.
But the new panel head, former wicketkeeper MSK Prasad, played just six Tests and has little standing.
Sarandeep Singh was a marginal off-spinner whose best moment in three Tests was a successful appeal to get England skipper Michael Vaughan dismissed for handling the ball. Former Bengal batsman Devang Gandhi played three Tests, but was basically a good domestic batsman.
Gagan Khoda and Jatin Paranjpe never played Tests. Ironically, former paceman Venkatesh Prasad, with the best credentials, has been chosen the junior panel chief.
Stature is crucial. Imagine a situation where Prasad has to talk to MS Dhoni, to decide on his India future, or convince Test skipper Virat Kohli over a tricky selection.
Maybe, if the selection panel comes in for heavy criticism, the BCCI can just shrug and point to the Lodha panel for laying down restrictive guidelines on the process.
