SC asks BCCI to release funds to state bodies

Supreme Court on Friday asked the Committee of Administrators (COA), appointed by it to run BCCI, to release funds to Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) for holding the fourth India-australia Test that begins Saturday. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra further asked the COA to release similar funds to Maharashtra, Karnataka and Jharkhand state cricket associations, which have organised the last three Tests of the ongoing series. The court asked the COA to honour the contract entered with the state cricket associations so that there is “no impediment in holding of matches”.

The direction came when Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for HPCA, said the COA is not releasing ₹2.5 crore required for conducting the last Test match.

The bench, meanwhile, clarified that if a person has been an office bearer in a state association for nine years, he would not stand barred from becoming an office bearer in BCCI.

Similarly, an office bearer of BCCI for nine years can still get elected and become part of state cricket bodies.

Sources in the BCCI claimed, it clears the way for Anirudh Chaudhary and Amitabh Chaudhary to continue their roles as treasurer and hon secretary.

MI , KKR, TO START IPL-10 PREPARATIONS

Mumbai Indians will begin their preparatory camp under new head coach and former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene from Saturday. The nine-day preparatory camp led by Rohit Sharma, will continue at the Wankhede Stadium till April 2, after which the team will travel to Pune to start their campaign against Pune Rising Supergiant.

Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also start their preparations from Saturday. The KKR side, however, were dealt a major blow after their star recruit New Zealand’s Trent Boult recently sustained an injury during the Kiwis ongoing Test series against South Africa at home. Meanwhile, skipper Gautam Gambhir is slated to join the camp on Monday.

KKR will begin their campaign with an away match against Gujarat Lions in Rajkot on April 7.