Amidst reports that the selection has been delayed due to India’s threat to pull out of the Champions Trophy, owing to the ongoing tussle between the BCCI and the ICC on the revenue sharing model, a veteran official of the BCCI dismissed it as a “far-fetched idea.”
“How can you take such a drastic decision without giving a thought to the repercussions it may cause,” asked the official familiar with the developments. “In any case, this decision would have to be taken by the General Body and its scheduled meeting is only after the Champions Trophy. Who has the authority to decide India will not participate in the Champions Trophy without keeping in mind the interest of the players,” the official emphasised.
If India was to take the decision, without consulting the players, it would harm the game in a big way. “The ICC will impose sanctions that would hurt the team big. Do you realise how the broadcasters and sponsors would react to your pulling out of the Champions Trophy? What if the other nations stop their players from participating in the IPL (Indian Premier League). It would be then reduced to a Mushtaq Ali tournament for domestic players only,” he added.
The official hoped better sense would prevail and India would participate in the Champions Trophy. “The main stakeholders are the players and not the officials. To please your ego you can’t take decisions that can harm the players who have prepared hard for the Champions Trophy. We are the defending champion and are expected to keep the Trophy on form,” the official concluded.
