BCCI in a Catch-22 situation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will probably be facing the severest pressure it has ever encountered when it sits down tomorrow to punish the cricketers found guilty by the CBI and the BCCI appointed anti corruption commissioner K. Madhavan. The simple reason for that is that the BCCI fears a backlash from the tainted cricketers. It is almost certain that all the five are planning to move the court should the BCCI punish them. As a result, the BCCI is trying to cover up all legal angles before it announces the penalty.

According to information available from various sources, the former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin will certainly seek legal action against the BCCI president AC Muthiah. The latter has already been found guilty by the CBI on various financial irregularities during the tenure of the Jayalalitha government. Azhar will definitely raise the question as to whether the BCCI president has the right to punish him when he has been chargesheeted. However, more than anything else, the BCCI President, who has repeatedly stated that he wants strict action, is facing opposition from his own colleagues. There are at least five influential members of the Board, who have requested him not to punish the guilty cricketers with life bans. As a result, Muthiah is undecided as to what the quantum of the punishment should be. The BCCI is not sure whether it should ban Azhar for five years or for life. Its constitution is preventing the BCCI from taking the safe path. They have information that if Azhar is banned for life, he will go to the court. However, he may accept a nominal punishment without raising any questions.

Ajay Jadeja's case has also placed the BCCI in a tight spot. He is probably the only one amongst the five who has a lot of cricket left in him. The intention of some of the BCCI bosses is to ban him for five years. However, political forces have already intimidated the BCCI so much that they would be happy if the ban is for two years. As of now, it is a Catch-22 situation for the BCCI. If they come out leniently against the cricketers, they will lose a lot of face. On the other hand, if they act tough, there will definitely be administrative and political hassles. The BCCI knows that it has to take into account the mood of the politicians, simply because the Board has to interact with them regularly regarding tours and fixtures.

Manoj Prabahakar, Ajay Sharma and Nayan Mongia's name has paled in the shadow of Azharuddin and Jadeja. Of these three, Mongia may escape unhurt. The other two will probably be banned for life. But then the public, which has been following this entire scandal is not interested very much in what happens to the two. Prabhakar is already out of the game, while Sharma is at the fag end of his domestic career. The cricket-loving spectator is now eager to see what the BCCI does with regard to Azhar and Jadeja. But if one goes by public opinion, they will not be satisfied with anything less than a life ban.