The next month or so could mark another interesting chapter in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hierarchy after a two-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli, rolled back a majority of the reforms recommended by the RM Lodha committee in 2016.
The relaxation of the cooling-off period has meant that president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are eligible to continue in their positions for another three-year term. However, it remains to be seen if there is more surprise in store at the annual general meeting of the BCCI, which is tentatively slated for October 18 in Mumbai.
While it is almost certain that there will be no elections at the forthcoming AGM, equations have notoriously changed on the floor of the house in the past. It is too early to draw conclusions but there has been nothing to suggest that there will be a change of guard at the BCCI. The Supreme Court has opted for continuity and the BCCI is expected to follow suit.
The BCCI brass have maintained a stoic silence since the Supreme Court judgment which has fuelled a lot of speculation in certain quarters. “Like most sporting associations in the country, the BCCI’s top tier is not decided by the whims of the state units. A lot will depend on what the powers-that-be in New Delhi’s South bloc decide. There has been no interference in any matter during these three years since the new dispensation took charge in October 2019,” a source told The Telegraph.
“As of now, the office-bearers are on the same page as regards the continuity factor. It’s too early to predict anything but unless there’s a dramatic turn of events, both Sourav and Shah are set to remain in their respective positions.
“There’s a perception that any move to dislodge the former India captain from the president’s chair could have far-reaching consequences,” the source maintained. The amended constitution has already given more authority to the secretary who will have “all powers in relation to cricketing and non-cricketing matters” and, in a direct U-turn, the CEO will henceforth work under his or her “direct supervision, control and direction”.
A lot of interest also revolves around the election to the chair of the International Cricket Council in November. With current incumbent Greg Barclay having already made his intentions public of continuing for another term at the helm of the world body, it is unlikely that anyone from the BCCI will put in a nomination. The former New Zealand Cricket chairperson enjoys an amicable relationship with the BCCI which has led to his optimism for a second term in office at the ICC and it is unlikely that anyone would like to throw a spanner in the works.
With the Supreme Court removing the 70-year age limit for becoming the BCCI’s representative to the ICC, will former BCCI and ICC supremo N. Srinivasan be India’s representative at the world body? It’s highly unlikely that he will be present at ICC meetings given his failing health, say those in the know. Sourav and Shah have taken turns representing the Board at such meetings so far.
The composition of the BCCI apex council and IPL governing council will see a lot of activity. With the apex court allowing MPs and MLAs to hold positions in the BCCI, it is expected that vice-president Rajeev Shukla will takeover from Brijesh Patel as IPL chairman since the former India batter, who turns 70 in November, will be ineligible to continue next year. These are still early days and surprises can’t be ruled out. Jay Shah has reportedly been camping in New Delhi which has given rise to a lot of speculation. The next month or so will be crucial to the powers-that-be in the BCCI.
