Srinivasan dismisses Vengsarkar's allegations

N Srinivasan, the former BCCI president, has dismissed accusations made by Dilip Vengsarkar, India's former chief selector, that picking Virat Kohli over S Badrinath for the tour of Sri Lanka in 2008 cost him his job.

Calling the remarks "completely false, motivated and without basis of facts", Srinivasan said that Vengsarkar "couldn't be considered because he chose to continue as vice-president of Mumbai Cricket Association until 2010, and again in 2014", with conflict of interest over his dual roles being raised at the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2008. The clause that was ratified at the AGM that year said a selector could not hold a dual post.

"I find it unbecoming and highly unprofessional of a former selector to act in such a manner. It is a pity that Mr Dilip Vengsakar is trying to cast aspersions on me," Srinivasan was quoted as saying in a press release issued by his company India Cements. "He is trying to create some controversy by suggesting I was behind his removal when I was treasurer of the BCCI. This is totally unwarranted and defies logic."

Srinivasan said he held no animosity towards Vengsarkar, referring to financial help offered to Dadar Union, the club Vengsarkar once represented. "Vengsarkar was himself a beneficiary of the benefit scheme initiated by me," Srinivsan said. "To my recollection, a large sum of money was given by India Cements Limited to Dadar Union Club for his its infrastructure at his request."