Anurag Thakur’s return to BCCI not urgent: Court
overs), they’re just better. They have proven to be better. India are very lucky to have unearthed young Yadav and Chahal who can bowl in any situation. They spin the ball, confuse the batsmen, and you throw Jadeja in there too — the variety India have in their attack is one of the reasons why they are performing so well and are favourites for the World Cup. All three will make the World Cup squad. Jadeja plays as an all-rounder. Yadav plays too and depending on the conditions Chahal will play as well.
Before Kohli’s emergence, did you think that Tendulkar’s records would ever be challenged?
I see it this way. Don Bradman unanimously is the greatest batsman of all time. The best batsman I saw was Viv Richards. The best players I bowled to are Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar. Looking at Kohli, everyone wants to know where he sits in it all. It’s very hard to judge a player while he’s still playing. In general, we judge a player when he finishes. I’m still tied at whether Viv Richards or Virat Kohli is the greatest ever one-day batsman. I don’t know who is the best because I’m challenging myself between the best batsman I ever saw and how destructive he was in all forms and then I look at Virat — he’s got 23-24 hundreds chasing targets. That is unbelievable. Viv is next at 8-9 I think. I am still thinking it over. But Virat will have the greatest record by the time he finishes, in all forms. He will break all records that’s ever been.
Vijay Shankar has caught the attention...
Hardik Pandya should definitely go (to the World Cup) because he is a match-winner. Vijay Shankar is good but Pandya is a better all-rounder.
Royals will win because their squad is outstanding, the best they’ve had. Anything less than the play-offs, we’ll be disappointed.
On the 2019 IPL NEWDELHI: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur will continue to stay away from the Board’s activities. Thakur’s appeal to recall a court order banishing him from the BCCI was put off by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
In January 2017, Thakur and Ajay Shirke were removed as BCCI president and secretary, respectively, for their “obstructionist” attitude in implementing the reforms suggested by the RM Lodha panel. In July 2017, Thakur had filed an “unconditional apology” after he was hauled up for contempt and perjury.
Saying he was already pardoned for contempt and perjury, the judges on Thursday said they were not inclined to recall the order that barred Thakur from BCCI activities. “There is nothing urgent in this,” said the judges.
BIHAR MATTER SERIOUS
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices SA Bobde and AM Spare, felt the FIR filed against Bihar Cricket Association officials for fraud should be dealt firmly by the BCCI. Allegations of making false certificates and accepting kickbacks to enable players from outside the state to represent Bihar in various BCCI tournaments have been made in the FIR registered in Patna last week.
Riding on a Supreme Court verdict, Bihar made a return to domestic cricket after 15 years. The state was also given full membership but internal strife and allegations of fraud tarnished the image of the officials running the game. Repeated appeals by the warring Cricket Association of Bihar to appoint an ad hoc body did not fly with the BCCI administrators.
I nterestingly, BCA also defaulted in complying with the new BCCI constitution. In its 10th status report dated October 28, 2018, COA said Bihar had only “partially” implemented the constitution as ordered by the Supreme Court on August 9, 2018. No clarity on compliance has emerged from the BCCI.
The judges directed that a copy of the FIR be sent to amicus curiae PS Narasimha and that the Committee of Administrators running the BCCI should take prompt action on Bihar cricket. The COA has so far dragged its feet on appointing an ad hoc body.
MEDIATOR
The status report on state units not complying with the new BCCI constitution is expected to be discussed at length in April but since “the game must go on”, the court directed member associations to talk to Narasimha to settle their disputes with the COA on release of funds needed to run cricket.
The possibility of elections at this stage also looks remote. Till a clear picture emerges on compliance, BCCI will continue to be run by the administrators who have perennially been at loggerheads with elected office-bearers who have been ‘acting’ with zero legitimate powers.