Zaheer to be asked to give up IPL contract for India job
MUMBAI: Apart from discussing the fallout of Supreme Court’s hearing on Friday, the CoA meeting on Saturday will deliberate on the conflict of interest of the personnel involved with the team.
The appointment of Zaheer Khan has put CoA in a quandary because if Zaheer is still a part of Delhi Daredevils, then it is a clear case of conflict. The CoA is fine with Zaheer taking up the role of bowling consultant with the team on the assurance that he will quit ties with his IPL team just like Rahul Dravid did.
Sources say the Vinod Rai-led committee is surprised that CAC named Zaheer as bowling consultant while he is still an active IPL cricketer. “Dravid had to choose between the two (being an India U-19 coach or mentor at Daredevils). Without confirmation from Zaheer that he will break all links with DD, how can he be appointed with the India team?” an insider questioned.
Last season, Zaheer captained Daredevils but there will be a fullfledged auction next season. In fact, the CoA will also have a look at IPL contracts of other support staff members of the senior and junior India teams. They will be told to choose one.
Former coach Anil Kumble had submitted a proposal regarding coach’s salary to CoA. But the BCCI won’t be deciding on Ravi Shastri’s contract as per that proposal. “The CFO has been asked to come up with a feasible proposal and it will be decided.”
In fact, the contract amounts of the support staff members may have to be adjusted to accommodate payments to all.
“If there are going to be 11 people with the team, then the contracts will have to be reconsidered — whether the BCCI can afford to pay so much? Auditing firm Deloitte had recommended a salary structure for the support staff and the COA may ask the BCCI to go by that.”
Also the role of the consultants will be decided by Ravi Shastri. “Ravi will be accountable for the results, so it will be entirely his call. He will decide on how and when he wants to utilise the services of the consultants,” a Board insider said.
SC HEARING
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Supreme Court hearing on Friday. If the Court takes a serious view of CoA’s status report, then the BCCI officials and units will be in trouble for stalling the implementation of reforms.“The hearing is at 2 pm which is a positive. It means the Court is taking a serious look at it. Given the stern message to Anurag Thakur, the body language shows that they mean business,” he said.