Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) interim president N. Shivlal Yadav says that in all probability legal proceedings will be initiated against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for pulling out of the India tour after having played just four ODI’s (the team was scheduled to play five ODIs and three Tests).
“It was an internal problem of the WICB. But, since it meant a huge loss both financially and otherwise, the general mood in the BCCI is to take action for their abrupt move,” Shivlal told The Hindu on Monday, a day ahead of the crucial BCCI working committee meeting here. “Since the pull out happened on the Indian tour, we will be moving the Court of Law here in India. Our legal counsel is on the job.”
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The working committee meeting is expected to be attended by ICC chairman N. Srinivasan in his capacity as president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, along with representatives of the permanent Test Centres of the BCCI and the five Associate members (by rotation policy).
Hyderabad-based BCCI GM (Operations) M.V. Sridhar, will also be attending the meeting to be chaired by Shivlal Yadav.
“The main agenda of the meeting is to take a decision on action against the WICB and also discuss the proposal of the Sri Lankans to play a five-match one-day series in the vacant slot created by the West Indians,” he said.
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Shivlal said the agreements between the full members for a bilateral series suggests that each Board keeps the revenue generated for hosting the international series and also incurs the costs from the time the visitors arrive till they leave the host nation.
“The figures are quite clear. The BCCI is getting more than Rs. 40 crore per match from television broadcasters. There will be a huge loss to the BCCI because of WICB’s decision.”
Asked about the possibility of recovering the financial losses, which some reports suggested to be about Rs. 400 crore, the BCCI interim chief said all practical options would be debated at the meeting. “From a personal point of view, it is sad that these unfortunate developments have taken place given the fact that over the years the BCCI and the WICB have had a cordial relationship.
“But again, there is a thin dividing line when some concrete measures have to be taken when something goes awry,” said Shivlal.