India’s ICC Champions Trophy participation not confirmed as yet

Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Special General Meeting on Sunday is likely to have a great bearing on whether defending champions India participate in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy

The next couple of days will see some serious business and decision making in Indian cricket, the repercussions of which will be felt in the world of cricket.

The best amicable solution that can be arrived is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s ( BCCI) Special General Meeting (SGM), that will be held on Sunday in New Delhi, clears the selection of the Indian cricket team for the ICC Champions Trophy, as also demanded by the Committee of Administrators ( CoA). Also, if the Supreme Court- appointed CoA backs the decision to send notice to the International Cricket Council ( ICC) to cure the breach made to the revenue and governance model.

Visa factor

It is understood, that the BCCI members are also against further delay in the selection of the Indian team because of the lengthy visa procedure and paperwork involved.

“The visa procedure will take time, while the option to withdraw is always there,” said a senior BCCI functionary.

Selecting the 15-member squad would not be a headache as it’s a set team. For the couple of spots that need to be confirmed, the selectors will have plenty of options from the performances in the Indian Premier League.

Invoking the MPA

On their issue with the ICC, the BCCI members are all for i nvoking t he Members Participation Agreement (MPA) after India’s share took a severe beating in the new revenue model.

While 23 BCCI units are in favour of initiating the legal procedure, and send a notice to the ICC, to cure the breach within 30 days.

It’s not just about the BCCI members, it is also about the fans’ sentiments and the CoA has assured that the interests of the cricket fraternity will not be compromised. Even the BCCI members sounded to be on the same page as far as the game is concerned.

“We will never be against cricket. It has to go on. Only thing we are upset about is one man’s ego,” said a state stakeholder.

The BCCI has been at loggerheads with the ICC on the proposed revenue model which considerably cuts down India’s share.

Revenue conundrum

The BCCI, CoA and the ICC are braced for hard bargaining in this. All the parties understand there will be a lot of give and take before a final figure is reached. The ICC will have to raise the amount substantially and the BCCI will have to climb down from USD 570 million.

In the revised revenue model, BCCI’s share has been reduced from USD 570 million for an eight- year period to a total of USD 293 million. An additional USD 100 million offer from the ICC to the BCCI still stands.

Also, apart from the share from the ICC, by keeping alive the issue the BCCI has an opportunity to put the pressure on CoA.

Naturally, all the stakeholders are concerned over the Indian team’s participation being the biggest draw of the tournament.

Doubts of India’s participation in Champions Trophy came to the fore after BCCI missed the April 25 deadline set for announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy.

Indian cricket team, defending champions of ICC Champions Trophy, is yet not confirmed to participate in the 2017 edition of the event.

Courtesy Hindustan Times