BCCI rethink on Test league plan, SGM to discuss matter on Dec 1

NAGPUR: The BCCI officials who met in Mumbai on Tuesday discuss IPL also debated on participating in the ICC Test Championship.

The ICC had last month announced a nine-team Test league and 13-team ODI league, aimed at bringing context and meaning to bilateral cricket. Nudged by the Committee of Administrators, BCCI representatives gave their nod at the meeting in Auckland.

However, it has met with disapproval from BCCI office-bearers. They have not rejected it outright, but said it had no relevance until discussed in the SGM on Dec 1, dissecting the league’s impact on Indian cricket.

On Tuesday, CoA members Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji met the top three BCCI office-bearers, who gave their consent for taking part in the Test Championship. But it was decided the Future Tours Programme will be drawn up by office-bearers to ensure the interests of BCCI and ally Boards are protected.

It is learnt treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary has been asked to finalise the FTP with consent of members familiar with the issue.

Acting BCCI president, CK Khanna, said: “Discussion on FTP is on the agenda of the next SGM.” An insider explained: “Efforts will be made to protect the home season of the BCCI, take care to ensure our friends in the ICC get a decent deal, and at the same time the minimum requirement of the ICC Test Championship is fulfilled (each team must play six home-andaway bilateral series).”

It is certainly not good news for ICC members who rubbed BCCI officials the wrong way, assuming they were totally powerless in the changed equation within Indian cricket.