The decision of the Supreme Court to accept almost all the recommendations of the Justice Lodha panel will have far reaching consequences on Indian cricket.
The full impact of the recommendations will be felt in the coming days when the fine print will be read and re-read by all the stakeholders. For now though, it is clear that the following will feel a definite impact
- Netas who are keen to become ministers
- All the battle scarred veterans
- Office-bearers seeking a no limit to tenure
- Office-bearer holding more than one post
With most career administrators set to be affected by the Lodha panel recommendations, players are likely to emerge the biggest gainers post the shake-up.
The most interesting aspect of the recommendations relate to the formation of a Players Association. The aim is to provide a voice to the players in all matters.
Players’ Voice?
So far the players in India have not been able to forge unity and present a common case to the BCCI. There have been failed attempts to form a Players Association, first in the late 1970s under Bishen Bedi and Sunil Gavaskar, then in 1989 under Mohinder Amarnath. Then finally in 2002 led by probably the most powerful group ever-Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Arun Lal and Ravi Shastri- the players managed to get more out of the BCCI revenues.
Since then however the Board has managed to keep the players on their side with regular increase in fees, introduction of a well-managed pension scheme and whole host of other measures.
Hence, the recommendation to form a Players’ Union is a very curious step. A member of the Players’ Union will also have a seat on the soon to be formed Apex Council.