Calcutta: If only Narayanswami Srinivasan had listened to a key administrator's advice, back in May 2013, the cricket-specific script may not have changed beyond recognition for him.

Even till early this year, after all, Srinivasan enjoyed almost a vice-like grip over world cricket. Today, he's been reduced to improving his golf.

Besides, of course, having plenty of time to focus on the cement business.

As for the key administrator, this newspaper is aware of his identity. It hasn't been revealed for a very good reason.

According to top sources of The Telegraph, Srinivasan had telephoned the key administrator within a "day or two" of son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's arrest by the Mumbai Police.

The arrest was made on grave charges, a development which stunned the cricket fraternity across the globe.

Meiyappan, who effectively ran the non-cricket operations of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was arrested on May 24 that year and let out on bail 10 days later.

That call, one assumes, was made on May 25/26.

Apparently, Srinivasan, who was then the Board president, sought the key administrator's advice on the way forward after Meiyappan's arrest.

Apart from being the Board president, Srinivasan had positioned himself to become the first chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after its restructuring was complete ahead of the 2014 annual conference.

Srinivasan did become the ICC chairman, but his two-year term as the Board's nominee ended abruptly, on Monday, at the Board's AGM. Instead, Shashank Manohar has been nominated.

Manohar returned as the Board president last month, four years after the end of innings No.1 in the chair.

The Board has seen two remarkable comebacks this year. First, by Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is no more. Then, by Manohar.

Back to that telephone call from Srinivasan...

One understands that the key administrator "advised" three things: That Srinivasan ban Meiyappan for life from any competition conducted by the Board, slap a hefty fine both on CSK and Rajasthan Royals (also at the centre of a huge controversy) and step aside as the president till the relevant inquiries were completed.

The advice was perfectly sensible, but nobody has been able to confirm that formula independently, though.

In the key administrator's opinion, the three measures would have ensured Srinivasan's image largely remained intact and that the Board's credibility didn't take a hit.

Forget not acting on any advice, the top sources have informed that Srinivasan "probably" didn't make another call to the key administrator.

It would only be natural if the key administrator felt offended. For his part, he didn't telephone Srinivasan either.

In time to come, when being humiliated by the Board actually hurts, Srinivasan may regret having ignored the advice given almost 30 months ago.