Board war goes on: Secretary hits out at ex-chief Manohar
MUMBAI: A day after former BCCI president Shashank Manohar slammed current chief N Srinivasan for the crisis in the Board, secretary Sanjay Patel on Thursday criticised the former for shirking responsibility.
“There was no question of the affidavit filed by Manohar being discussed (at the AGM). But (what was discussed) was the case fought by Manohar in his individual capacity leaving aside the other office-bearers and employees of BCCI. Members were not happy with the kind of thing that has happened,” Patel said.
On August 7, the Bombay High Court gave relief to Manohar — BCCI chief from 2008 to 2011 — after he filed an affidavit to clear his name from cases filed against BCCI by the Enforcement Directorate. The court quashed a notice issued by ED directing Manohar to appear before it.
The court observed that ED had not considered the material placed by Manohar before it in his defence against the allegation of foreign exchange violation related to organising the 2009 IPL in South Africa. According to reports, Manohar has blamed Srinivasan, then the BCCI secretary, for the alleged violations.
BLAME GAME
On the uncertainty over India’s tour of South Africa, Patel said Cricket South Africa’s breach of protocol for the mess. “Things have been going on for long. Certain things have to be put in the right perspective. The BCCI in normal circumstances would have done anything for the tour to happen. But the protocol of finalising any series is a joint declaration. But that was originally done without the BCCI’S approval. So we are waiting.”
While BCCI strongly objected to CSA announcing the schedule by itself, it is also reportedly upset with its counterpart for appointing Haroon Lorgat as its CEO. The Board had serious differences with Lorgat when he was the ICC CEO.
Although, Cricket South Africa is sweating over the financial implications of a cancelled or curtailed India tour, Patel said the BCCI had plenty of other options. “There are a number of people available. A number of countries are ready to play with India. There is no problem at all.” But he ruled out any series with Pakistan or Sri Lanka to fill a possible gap in the calendar. “There is nothing like that at the moment,” he said.
The BCCI secretary rubbished reports that Sachin Tendulkar has been asked to retire after his 200th Test, saying it was the batsman’s prerogative to decide on his future.