For so long has the game itself been low priority in the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it would surprise no one if the new dispensation following the > death of Jagmohan Dalmiya turns out to be old wine in old bottles. Yet, here is a wonderful opportunity for the BCCI to take a leap into the 21st century, to get rid of the feudalism and cronyism that has been the bane of the organisation.
This is the opportune moment for the generation of players who saved Indian cricket during the dark days of match-fixing at the turn of the century to take charge.
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman are giants still in their 40s, still involved in the game, and noted for their integrity and passion. They are respected across the world and will give the scandal-driven BCCI a lift.
Suresh Menon Currently, the >person most qualified is Anil Kumble . He has been the president of his State association in Karnataka, attended two Annual General Body meetings (a BCCI requirement) and is the chairman of the cricket committee of the International Cricket Council. He is also the mentor of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but that is a role he could give up in the larger interests of the game.
Playing politics Board politics is such that cricketers of renown seldom make it to the top. Officials feel such a person would diminish their own importance — for many it is an ego trip, an adjunct to their deal-making in the political arena. That is why when it comes to elections, politicians support one another across party lines. The fear is, if they don’t hang together they might hang separately.
It is unlikely that either Sharad Pawar or Shashank Manohar — the front-runner at this stage — or anybody from the East Zone (which nominates the candidate) would be thrilled at the prospect of a top-flight cricketer being thrown into the mix.
Such things have a way of uniting warring parties, rather in the manner an unpopular visiting aunt unites squabbling members of a family. Suddenly, the Congress, BJP, NCP and others will speak with one voice to keep out the ‘outsider’ — which, ironically, is what the cricketer is seen as in a cricket association!
Reconciling ambition with principle The recent Pawar-Srinivasan entente was an exercise in reconciling ambition with principle. Pawar who has already been a BCCI President (and ICC President) wants the job again. Srinivasan is keen to ensure that his reign as the ICC Chairman is not disturbed. Cleaning up Indian cricket is often only a by-product of individual ambitions.
Pawar is 74, Srinivasan 70, Manohar 57. All of them have been board presidents. A generational shift is due. BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur is 40, and will have a role, especially as he is a BJP Member of Parliament, in deciding who gets the top job.
Kumble, who turns 45 next month, has impressed in recent years with his clear thinking, his ability to make tough decisions and his knack for carrying a team. His focus on cricket means that he will raise the hackles of the politicians in the BCCI.
Would you rather have a world-class cricketer making the decisions for the game in the country, or someone like Rajeev Shukla, who is probably a good man, kind to animals etc, but is innocent of cricket, using it merely as an instrument for self-advancement? That might be an extreme example, but the point is valid.
Turnaround The BCCI candidates in the fray, including Manohar, are part of the same lot which allowed Srinivasan to run a team in the IPL while being a BCCI official. This was the original conflict of interest criticised by the Supreme Court and which caused Srinivasan to be sidelined. It is facile now for them to argue (as Manohar has done) that they will not align themselves with Srinivasan.
In a couple of months, the Lodha Commission will go public with what is wrong with the BCCI and make recommendations. When that happens — and given the commission’s track record — it is possible that some of the individuals now rushing to secure seats in the executive might be embarrassed.
New wine in new bottles Hence the call for new wine in new bottles. It is heartening that India’s golden generation is giving back to the game.
Dravid is coach of India A, Laxman, Ganguly and Tendulkar are in the advisory committee of the BCCI, Ganguly will be formally anointed President of the Cricket Association of Bengal. Kumble had a head start in administration as KSCA President.
He belongs to the modern school of management that abhors hierarchies — a refreshing change from the BCCI’s feudal system.
He comes with no baggage, unlike the politicians. It may be wishful thinking at this stage. But there is poetic justice in a cricketer clearing up the mess made by businessmen and politicians in the BCCI.
