What's on the BCCI working committee's agenda
Shashank Manohar will chair his first BCCI working committee meeting on Sunday, in Mumbai, since being elected board president earlier this month. There are important issues the committee will have to decide on
Arun Venugopal and Amol Karhadkar
17-Oct-2015
Even if the BCCI decides to host Pakistan for a tri-series in December, it will need the green signal from the Indian government • Associated Press
Shashank Manohar will chair his first BCCI working committee meeting on Sunday, in Mumbai, since being elected board president earlier this month. Here are the important issues the committee will have to decide on.
Hosting Pakistan in December
With PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan set to meet Manohar on Monday, there is speculation over whether the committee will discuss the possibility of India hosting a tri-series featuring Pakistan and Bangladesh in the first half of December. Should the Indian government object to this, Bangladesh is likely to be considered as the venue. The revenue model would be worked out later.
With PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan set to meet Manohar on Monday, there is speculation over whether the committee will discuss the possibility of India hosting a tri-series featuring Pakistan and Bangladesh in the first half of December. Should the Indian government object to this, Bangladesh is likely to be considered as the venue. The revenue model would be worked out later.
PepsiCo's IPL sponsorship
Amid speculation that PepsiCo, the title sponsor of the IPL, has pulled the plug on its five-year deal with the league two years before time, the BCCI as well as the beverage company have refrained from making decisive statements. Both parties have spoken of their "longstanding cordial" relationship and have sought to work out "solutions in the interests of the league as well as PepsiCo". IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla had said earlier this month that the BCCI was in talks with other sponsors as well, and so the title deal was "not that big an issue". A BCCI insider, however, told ESPNcricinfo on Saturday that he believed ties hadn't been severed with PepsiCo yet. The committee will be apprised about the situation and a future course of action is likely to be discussed.
Amid speculation that PepsiCo, the title sponsor of the IPL, has pulled the plug on its five-year deal with the league two years before time, the BCCI as well as the beverage company have refrained from making decisive statements. Both parties have spoken of their "longstanding cordial" relationship and have sought to work out "solutions in the interests of the league as well as PepsiCo". IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla had said earlier this month that the BCCI was in talks with other sponsors as well, and so the title deal was "not that big an issue". A BCCI insider, however, told ESPNcricinfo on Saturday that he believed ties hadn't been severed with PepsiCo yet. The committee will be apprised about the situation and a future course of action is likely to be discussed.
Action against the Odisha Cricket Association
The BCCI had sought a report from the Odisha Cricket Association over the bottle-throwing incident that disrupted the second T20I between India and South Africa in Cuttack. The OCA, while assuring the board that such an incident will not be repeated, had replied that water bottles were allowed to be carried into the stands keeping in mind the comfort of the spectators in the harsh weather. While this is a breach of the BCCI's ground regulations, it remains to be seen if Manohar lays down a stern precedent by acting against a full member association.
The BCCI had sought a report from the Odisha Cricket Association over the bottle-throwing incident that disrupted the second T20I between India and South Africa in Cuttack. The OCA, while assuring the board that such an incident will not be repeated, had replied that water bottles were allowed to be carried into the stands keeping in mind the comfort of the spectators in the harsh weather. While this is a breach of the BCCI's ground regulations, it remains to be seen if Manohar lays down a stern precedent by acting against a full member association.
Decision on the IPL franchises
It looks unlikely that any decision will be taken on the termination of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at this meeting. Also, any decision on the invitation of bids for floating two new franchises is likely to be deferred till the AGM.
It looks unlikely that any decision will be taken on the termination of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at this meeting. Also, any decision on the invitation of bids for floating two new franchises is likely to be deferred till the AGM.
The date of the AGM
The postponement of the AGM was necessitated by the adjournment of the last working committee meeting, on August 28, in Kolkata, due to confusion arising over the legality of ICC chairman N Srinivasan's presence in the meeting. The Supreme Court, when asked for clarification by the board, asked the BCCI to stick to its stand of not allowing him to attend the meetings due to his conflict of interest issues. With that cleared up, the committee can tend to the matter of the AGM dates. Although only a three-week notice is required at the working committee meeting before the AGM can be held, it is understood that the AGM will be convened in the third week of November after the conclusion of the Diwali festivities.
The postponement of the AGM was necessitated by the adjournment of the last working committee meeting, on August 28, in Kolkata, due to confusion arising over the legality of ICC chairman N Srinivasan's presence in the meeting. The Supreme Court, when asked for clarification by the board, asked the BCCI to stick to its stand of not allowing him to attend the meetings due to his conflict of interest issues. With that cleared up, the committee can tend to the matter of the AGM dates. Although only a three-week notice is required at the working committee meeting before the AGM can be held, it is understood that the AGM will be convened in the third week of November after the conclusion of the Diwali festivities.
Also, the finance committee's accounts will be ratified at the working committee meeting before the annual report is prepared.
Other issues
The central contracts for women cricketers are likely to be given the stamp of approval at the AGM after the structure is worked out.
The central contracts for women cricketers are likely to be given the stamp of approval at the AGM after the structure is worked out.
There may be clarifications made on the document seeking no conflict of interest declarations by BCCI members, after four members asked for an explanation on its scope.
Also, there may be a discussion on whether the National Cricket Academy will be moved out of Bangalore.
Arun Venugopal is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. Amol Karhadkar is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo