CSK, Royals survival hangs in the balance
With Meiyappan and Kundra in the dock, their IPL teams face the sack
MUMBAI: The Mudgal Committee report did clear N Srinivasan of match-fixing charges but left a paragraph saying he did not act on a case of misconduct by a player. That has left the Srinivasan camp slightly jittery but what has really pushed them in a spot of bother is the future of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
The Mugdal Committee probe panel, headed by retired High Court Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal with Additional Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao and senior advocate Nilay Dutta as members, has nailed Srinivasan’s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, along with Raj Kundra of Rajasthan Royals for illegal betting and links with bookies.
According to the IPL code of conduct for the teams, it means, the teams can be scrapped if the Court or the BCCI authorities adhere to the rule book. Clause 11.3 in the Code of Conduct (agreement between BCCI and the franchise) says that “BCCIIPL may terminate this agreement with immediate effect by written notice if: the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any owners acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket.”
Justice Mudgal Committee has indicted Meiyappan of betting and confir med his role a team official of CSK. Rajasthan Royal’s co-owner Kundra’s ‘infractions violated BCCI/IPL Anti Corruption Code’. The Committee held that Meiyappan was involved in betting but not in match fixing. It also questioned why Rajasthan police stopped probe abruptly on Kundra for his betting activities after the case was transferred from Delhi police.
COURT HOLDS KEY For practical purpose, the Srinivasan camp knows the real threat to CSK’s existence is from the Court. If the action is left to the BCCI, where Srinivasan is favourite to retain control for another term, then things can be “comfortably managed”.
Among the IPL teams though, it’s clear that rules are interpreted differently for different teams. An IPL team member chose to question back when asked how he interpreted the probe’s findings. “If it would have been any other team, would it have survived?”
He gave the example of the termination orders on franchises Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Pune Sahara Warriors and Deccan Chargers, who all had to pay the price for payment-related issues.
For an IPL insider, Rajasthan Royals are fortunate because CSK are in the same mess. However, there are no guarantees in BCCI politics. It’s all about who’s in power. CSK and RR’s survival is directly linked to Srinivasan’s return to the president’s chair.
ACCORDING TO AN IPL INSIDER, RAJASTHAN ROYALS ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE CSK ARE IN THE SAME MESS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES IN BCCI POLITICS. IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO’S IN POWER