Sourav Ganguly is a cricket person of many parts – ace player, top captain, CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee) member, President CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal), commentator/expert/columnist/author. He also multitasks as a television anchor and is a crazily busy celebrity. Considering the variety of roles he performs – effortlessly – it is safe to say he owns and wears many hats.
Whether Souravda is a fan of Burmanda's music is not in public domain but looking at his hard hitting mail on the simmering turmoil in the BCCI, it appears he appreciates the work of the maestro. In Guide, the 1965 classic film, a depressed hero expresses his anguish through a memorable song. Troubled by what was happening around him, a pained Dev Anand wonders kya se kya ho gaya, bewafa.
Indian cricket with its massive following has been built over the years of hard work from superb administrators and greatest of cricketers who have managed to bring thousands of fans to the ground. I, at the present moment, think it’s in danger.Sourav Ganguly in his letter to the BCCI
Ganguly's mail conveys a similar message, though less poetically. Clearly, he is seriously anguished by the unending mess in the BCCI and the resultant collateral damage to Indian cricket.
With deep sense of worry, (I used the word worry) I beg to state that the way things have gone in the last couple of years, the authority of Indian cricket to the world and the love and belief of millions of fans is on the way down.Sourav Ganguly in his letter to the BCCI
Ganguly is alarmed by the continuing governance crises, the inept management of bungling administrators and the apparent self-goals. In moments that test your mettle, when people in authority must rise to the occasion and put their hand up to be counted, men running the BCCI have failed cricket. Surrendered their wicket, so to say.
Ganguly's position resonates with others and his views reflect popular opinion. And not without reason, because the red entries in the BCCI balance sheet are far too many to ignore or be conveniently air brushed.
A quick look at prominent issues and unfulfilled promises shows how Indian cricket's reputation is dented. Here are instances of no balls bowled and poor shot selection.
1) Lodha Committee/ Supreme Court Reforms
The COA was tasked to implement these but, years since the order came, it is only running around in circles and there is little genuine progress to show. Despite ten 'status reports' to the Supreme Court, the ground reality is unchanged: Reforms are a distant dream, states associations refuse to play ball and remain stubbornly 'non-compliant'.
In this stalemate, the prospects of fresh elections throwing up new faces to govern the sport, looks unlikely in the near future.
2) Governance Paralysis
On key issues, the BCCI is directionless or pre-occupied or, well, just helpless.
In many state associations, including Mumbai and Hyderabad, the courts have moved in following allegations of wrongdoing. Associations face fund shortage and have problems meeting normal cricket expenses. Cricket development is hit by the pause button.
The worst thing, as Ganguly pointed out, is nobody knows who is in control – a sad state for an organisation like the BCCI that has been led by powerful administrators in the past.
3) Loss of Standing, Internationally
In terms of influence among the ICC and the cricket world, India is like the West Indies team – bossed the world at one time but insignificant now. India has lost goodwill among ICC members , and in global boardrooms it does not command respect it used to previously.
4) Focussing on Trivial Matters
It is surprising that the BCCI is unable to sort out allocation/distribution of passes and that international matches are tossed around because of this and shifted to new centres.
Another instance of muddled execution of cricket affairs is the scheduling of the Windies ODIs. They played at the CCI on a Monday, not surprisingly to empty stands, and will turn up for a day/night game later in Lucknow, on pre-Diwali day!
Cricketing rules are changed in the middle of a season, which has never been heard of. Decisions made in committees are turned around with complete disrespect. One of my friends who is involved in matters relating to functioning of board asked me who should they go to (for a problem), I had no answer.Sourav Ganguly in his letter to the BCCI
As Ganguly alleged, there is excessive interference in technical matters, often without adequate thought.
Domestic cricket is subject to sudden rule change causing confusion and uncertainty. When player eligibility conditions for Ranji were tweaked unilaterally – without consulting the Technical Committee which is led by Ganguly – there was understandable outrage.
5) Lopsided Priorities
India lost 4/1 in England but reasons for the loss were not discussed and debated. The BCCI is silent about any post-tour review of team performance, equally non-transparent about any internal discussions that might have taken place.
What is known is, on future tours, Team India wants bananas to eat, wives to accompany players and special travel arrangements. If this is sufficient to do better and win overseas we might as well disband support staff and appoint an event management team to run the Indian team!
6) The Sexual Harassment Allegation
The trigger for the fresh anti-BCCI sentiment is the off-field behaviour of its Chief Executive, and the sloppy response of the CoA in dealing with the situation.
First, a member of the internal committee resigned, then a member of the external committee recused himself. And while these changes took place, and new allegations surfaced, the CoA was split on the issue. Diana Edulji wants swift and tough action because it is not a matter only of gender or harassment or any individual – at stake is the image of the BCCI, and Indian cricket.
Both Edulji and Ganguly correctly believe cricket is bigger than any individual.
(Amrit Mathur is a senior journalist, former GM of the BCCI and Manager of the Indian Cricket Team. He can be reached at @AmritMathur1.The views expressed above are of the author’s alone and The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)
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