Saving Indian cricket, again

It’s the Supreme Court’s wisdom in handing over the administration of cricket, our national sport, to a committee of administrators overseeing the work of a paid CEO that saved Indian cricket. BCCI’s elected officials, all amateurs doing honorary jobs, were sidelined. The great danger was that these officials, denied their importance, might try to do something that may potentially harm the game, which is what happened in the move to boycott the Champions Trophy. This tournament, one of three global events the ICC runs, is even more prestigious for us as India is the defending champion. To serve a top official’s selfish interest after he was denied the opportunity to represent India in the ICC, cricket officials were ready to shoot the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Directing the BCCI to pick a team and send it to the Champions Trophy, Vinod Rai, the former CAG who heads the administrators’ committee, has done a signal service to Indian cricket. He could, if needed, approach the Supreme Court to be the final arbiter, as post-hungry officials have lost the trust of the court and the people.

The BCCI has run into a crisis at the ICC over sharing of global revenues. While asking for more is not illogical given the pivotal role of India’s television audience for the health of cricket and its revenues, there are ways to negotiate.

Holding a gun to the ICC’s head and threatening to pull out of the Champions Trophy was an ill-advised method. As a wise Chief Justice of India once said, Indian cricket must learn to “play the game”.