Former selection committee chairman Kris Srikkanth, who has been accused of shielding Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni despite poor performances, on Thursday hit back saying that it is not right to rake up issues discussed in the panel meetings.
Former selector Mohinder Amarnath has opened a pandora’s box by stating that three selectors out of the five-member panel wanted Dhoni to be sacked but they were overruled by BCCI President N. Srinivasan.
Srikkanth on Thursday said that it was not appropriate to reveal the details of committee meetings.
“I have always maintained that whatever happens in the selection committee meetings should remain within the four walls.
“It is not right for me or anyone to come out and say what exactly happened,” Srikkanth told reporters here.
“It’s just like a company’s board meetings where lot of discussions happen about what to do and what not to do for the company’s growth. But nobody comes out in public and tells what (has) happened,” he said.
Refusing to give pointed reactions to the allegations made by Amarnath, Srikkanth said, “We discuss a lot of issues in the selection committee meetings, captaincy of Dhoni or X, Y, Z always come up in the meetings.
“We always have detailed discussion on captaincy issues, ex-players, team combination. But at the end of the day it is always consensus,” he added.
“We should just move on. Yes, Indian cricket is going through tough times and let’s hope we do well in the Nagpur Test match and revive,” he said.
Srikkanth also said during his tenure as chief selector, he never shirked responsibility for the team’s debacles.
“Whatever decision we take is for the good of the country. Sometimes our selection clicks, sometimes it doesn’t.
It was the same selection committee which won the 2011 World Cup. None of you gave credit,” he said.
“When we lost badly in England, Australia and what not. I never shied away from the blame,” he added.
Srikanth obviously has not heard of whistleblowers. In advanced
countries whistleblowers are actively encouraged by Governments and by
legislation. This has allowed many many scams to be revealed and
whistleblowers are chrished and protected. The best known case is of
"Deep Throat" without whose revealations the horrendous events of
Watergate would never have come to light.
The issue is simple. If the majority of the selectors agreed to replace Dhoni and however, they could not go ahead with that decision for certain compulsions, then some vested interest had played politics. For ethical reasons and dignity, those majority selectors should have come out of the selection committee immediately and exposed everything to the public as they were not allowed to perform their duties in good faith. If those majority selectors had ganged up to take a wrong decison against the national interest, then the BCCI should have pulled them on disciplinary grounds and taken the matter to court. As long as there is no option of veto, the majority opinion must prevail in all fair and equitable manner.
Must all conduct, potentially shameful, remain hidden ? That is the question.
Mr. Srikant, Well done and kudos for covering the ground for N.Srinivasan. By doing so, you have proven that, indeed it was N.Srinivasan, who makes decision over selection and not the selection committee. You don’t have to tell anything in public as the cat is out now. This will secure you and your son financially well. What ever transpired within the four walls of selection committee, must be kept within the four walls only.
Srikkanth did not deny what Mohinder Amarnath revealed that BCCI President Srinivasan overruled the selectors' decision on dropping Dhoni from captancy. Is Srikkanth agreeing to this revelation? He did not say anything on this point.
Mr. Srikkanth may be right though for holding views of not revealing as to what transpired in the meeting closed door, but I feel the selection committee owes an explanation to all concerned (fans included) when it takes an unusual decision, with the odds and popular sentiments are or likely to be against such a decision.
it is very disheartening to see ex-players behaving like politicians taking a dig at each other. Every team will have a rough patch every now and then it doesnt mean we keep blaming right from the players till the men who prepares pitch.
Mr Srikkanth,
Indian team is not your company or personal property . Each and every Indian has all the right to know what you do behind the curtains.
And if you want to do business then rename the team as team BCCI.
The point is did BCCI Chief srinivasan bat for Dhoni ? Overruling
Selection Committee Views ?..can Mr Srikanth Play a Straight Bat
Wake up Srikkant, you compare Indian cricket selection board to a company board, how dare you, you cannot consider Indian selection committee as your company affair. In a democratic country there is no such thing as with in four walls.
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