BCCI appoints ad-hoc committee to run Rajasthan cricket

The BCCI has constituted an ad-hoc committee to run cricket in Rajasthan and ensure the participation of teams from the state in the 2015-16 domestic season. Amrit Mathur, a former manager of the India team, will take over as the co-ordinator of the committee, which will comprise CK Khanna, Milind Kanmadikar, Snehal Parikh and PV Shetty.

"This step is in line with the BCCI philosophy of keeping the interest of cricket and the players on top priority," Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI president, said. "Like any other side playing domestic cricket in India, Rajasthan cricketers will have all the facilities, exposure and opportunities to perform and excel."

According to a BCCI insider, an ad-hoc committee was the most logical option considering the complex situation in Rajasthan cricket, and remained the last hope for the state's players to compete in the upcoming domestic season.

The BCCI had suspended the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) in May 2014 after the latter elected Lalit Modi, an expelled administrator, as its president. The board then omitted the RCA from the 2014-15 domestic programme.

Rajasthan eventually got to play - though not under the RCA banner - after the Rajasthan High Court heard a writ petition signed by 75 players, and directed the Rajasthan Sports Council, the RCA and the BCCI to work in tandem and appoint selection committees to select teams for the board's senior, junior and women's tournaments. Mathur had helped facilitate the process.

While that came as a boost for the players, the impasse between the BCCI and the RCA continued. The RCA remains suspended, and a faction led by Amin Pathan has staged a revolt against Modi's body. As a result, the High Court hasn't even allowed the Sports Council to run the state's cricket affairs.