People allege the COA clung on...i am perplexed facetoface
NEWDELHI: After an eventful 33-month tenure, during which he was witness to the “Good, the Bad and the Ugly” of Indian cricket, Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai is happy that someone of Sourav Ganguly’s stature is taking over the reins of Indian cricket.
Having cut off the “umbilical cord” that tied him to the Board, the former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) spoke to PTI on a range of issues from “giving a free hand” to the Virat Kohli-ravi Shastri duo, Anil Kumble’s exit as national coach, his frosty relationship with colleague Diana Edulji, sexual harassment allegations against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and difficulties in implementing the Supreme Courtmandated Lodha recommendations.
Excerpts
How do you look at Sourav Ganguly’s ascension to the BCCI president’s post?
I have great respect for Sourav...my respect for him grew even more watching him efficiently manage the
Cricket Association of Bengal and the fact that cricketer of that capability and distinction will be running the BCCI. I don’t think there is anyone better than Sourav to take
over the reins of BCCI.
How do you look at your 33-month tenure?
It has been a very satisfying experience because there are four former players in major administration now. There is Sourav (Ganguly) as BCCI president, IPL chairman is Brijesh Patel, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy are in the Apex Council. We have been able to create a Players’ Association, which wasn’t initially being accepted. We had women’s IPL, even though on a smaller scale but the matches were of high quality. We have been totally transparent. The minutes of 100-plus COA meetings (status reports) are available on the board’s website. There has been no dilution of Lodha recommendations.
You called yourself a ‘Nightwatchman’ but there are allegations that COA overstayed its invitation. What went wrong?
I will tell you what went wrong. There were 92 Interim Applications (IA) filed (in the Supreme Court). Then appointment of new Amicus Curiae (PS Narsimha), who was asked to mediate and it ended only in August, 2019.
About allegations that we got into administration but what is the order of the SC judgement in August 9,2018? That we will implement the reforms and run administration of BCCI till the general body takes over.
People alleged we clung on but at the same time dissatisfied people have gone to court saying that COA had no business ordering the elections. I am perplexed.
Doesn’t Conflict of Interest rule, as per Lodha reforms, seem Draconian?
The end result, by which I mean the apex court verdict combined with our recommendations, is the most ideal solution. The cricketers have a very short playing life. They have gathered experience in the sport and why should they be denied entry as commentator, mentor of IPL teams.
There is a perception that you gave Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri free hand. Your take on that? Well, much can be said about it (allegation). If the head coach and the captain of the team are given free hand, in cricketing matters, what’s wrong with that? I was very clear that we won’t interfere in the selection process and the cricketing matters.