Quite a few blanks to fill for the Board and IPL
MUMBAI: When N Srinivasan lost control in the board, IPL COO Sundar Raman’s head was also on the chopping block. Yet, his departure was delayed for months. “For a long time talks about removing him were on. They delayed his sacking because they wanted to learn about IPL matters from him,” a BCCI insider said.
There are mixed reactions over Raman’s ouster. While some loathe his bullying methods, there is skepticism whether the BCCI will find an ideal replacement to run the IPL. “All the stake holders in the IPL from owners to sponsors, interacted mainly with him. He knew the system. Those will be big shoes to fill,” the board insider said.
It is the most challenging time for the League. For the first time, the board has to find a way to add two new teams for just two seasons, then they have to look at the interest of the players of the two suspended teams – Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals. Raman’s story is not restricted to the IPL. He became an equally powerful personality in the running of the board and the ICC. Starting his career in administration with the IPL, he was soon taking calls on a lot of important issues in the BCCI as well and gradually in the ICC riding Srinivasan’s support. Some of the members resented it and in the end, he paid the price for interfering in board matters.
The board is banking on the IMG for the smooth running of the league. “IPL is a very stable property. It’s the sport which is important. CEOs come and go in companies. It was mainly the IMG which ran the show,” retorted a senior BCCI member when asked whether Raman’s absence will be felt.