New constitution could get Dravid, Dada in trouble
The Committee of Administrators (COA) finalised the new constitution of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday. The statute, uploaded on the BCCI website, will be based on the Lodha Committee recommendations approved by the Supreme Court.
The new constitution, which will be presented before the Supreme Court on March 20, is aimed at improving transparency, accountability and overall governance of cricket in India.
One of the biggest highlights is the conflict of interest rules, which have more clarity and address several other concerns pertaining to it.
CONFLICT CLAUSES
Two illustrations provide a clear indication to former India stalwarts Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly over their involvement in various capacities.
Illustration One under ‘roles compromised’ could be directed at Dravid, who is India ‘A’ and U-19 coach as well as Delhi Daredevils mentor. The relevant clause said: “A is the coach of a team. He is also coach of an IPL franchisee. A is hit by conflict of interest.”
Illustration One under ‘direct and indirect interest’ probably took aim at Ganguly, who is IPL Governing Council member and has business relations with the owners of the Rising Pune Supergiants. They also own Indian Super League team, Atletico de Kolkata, and Ganguly is a partowner.
“C is a Member of the IPL Governing Council. The IPL enters into a contract with a new franchisee, the Managing Director of which is C’s partner in an independent commercial venture. C is hit by Indirect Conflict of Interest,” it stated.
EARLIER RULING
Former BCCI president Shashank Manohar had exonerated Ganguly of conflict of interest when the issue was raised last year.
The COA has gone to the extent of barring club owners from being office-bearers of the state unit as it is a position of influence as per the new conflict of interest rules. The Mumbai Cricket Association would be worst hit by this.
The new constitution for the first time empowers the Indian public to lodge complaints to the BCCI concerning ticketing, access and facilities in the stadium. It can be brought to the notice of the Ombudsman.
The Memorandum of Association, Rules and Regulations and all other resolutions, orders and memoranda of the BCCI (including in the Apex Council and General Body) would be available to the public. Cricket lovers can also take stock of the decisions taken by the BCCI as the reports of the nine-member Apex Council and other committees would be uploaded on the BCCI website.
Apart from the cricket committee, there would be a differently-abled cricket committee and a talent committee.
India aren’t too hung up on a left-right combination, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul look to be their opening pair for all seasons. Rahul bats imperiously when not injured but Vijay’s ability to switch on and off as per the situation makes this pair special. Vijay reaffirmed that belief with a 183-ball 82 against Australia in Ranchi on Saturday. He missed out on a hundred in his 50th Test, but if India force a win in Ranchi, the role played by Vijay in the two highest partnerships will be one of the biggest reasons.
Having injured his shoulder just before the second Test in Bangalore, it was imperative Vijay came back strongly. His place in the team was never in doubt, but Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury meant India had to start well. With an innings of two parts, Vijay ensured India didn’t lose ground in the Test.
Act One of Vijay’s innings was reasonably subdued, and justifiably so. With Rahul going great guns and finding boundaries at will, India didn’t need an unnecessary dismissal. Vijay was mindful of that. Unless Australia bowled too full to him, Vijay was content playing on the backfoot, and as late as possible. By the time Vijay had faced his 50th delivery, he had scored a boundary-less 10.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION EMPOWERS THE INDIAN PUBLIC TO LODGE COMPLAINTS WITH THE BCCI CONCERNING TICKETING, ACCESS AND FACILITIES IN STADIUM
WELL-PACED INNINGS
It changed next ball though. Josh Hazlewood bowled wide, allowing Vijay to finally break the shackles with a glorious drive through cover. Vijay was content to play second fiddle till Nathan Lyon gave him the opportunity to improve his strike rate with three boundaries in the 33rd over. In Lyon’s next over though, he almost trapped Vijay but a faint inside-edge saved him.
SWEEPING SUCCESS
Vijay also used the sweep well. Vijay said it was a conscious decision. “They were bowling really tight, to be honest. Pujara and I had a talk in between. The goal was to see off the initial phase. It came out pretty well, but it could have been much better if I had not got out,” Vijay said at a news conference.
Two of those sweeps, against O’keefe and Lyon, took Vijay to 70 before he again made room to lift Lyon over mid-off for four. Till then, India looked wellplaced in their aim not to lose a wicket in the morning session. But Vijay had other ideas. Having made O’keefe look ordinary during his 12-over spell from the pavilion end, he was determined to mete out the same treatment when the left-armer changed ends. Another sweep through midwicket should have settled the issue.
NO REGRETS
Having just stitched a century partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, Vijay looked focused on getting his hundred. But he missed it in the urgency to dominate O’keefe with another six and was stumped.
However, he didn’t regret it. “I was not disappointed, actually, because the shot was on. Mid-on, mid-off were inside so I thought it was my shot, but the situation was wrong I guess and the execution was not up to mark. But definitely the shot was on,” said Vijay.