BCCI asks commentators to come clean, focus on Stephen Fleming and Gavaskars

The BCCI has come down heavily on the commentators and their commitments. The board has asked both the Indian and foreign commentators to come clean on a possible ‘conflict’. No foreign commentator from now on can work for an India series or the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he is associated with any IPL team.

Fleming’s conflict of interest

The current developments highlight the case of former New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming, who has previously worked as the coach of Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiants. “He will have to declare if he will be associated with CSK,” said an influential BCCI member. Fleming was supposed to be part of the commentary panel for the New Zealand tour of India for three ODIs and three Twenty20Is.

Spotlight on Gavaskars

The BCCI and the Committee of Administrators (CoA) have decided that he will not be allowed to do commentary if he were to be associated with any IPL franchise actively. The rule might haunt legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar too, who will now have to give up his stake in the Professional Management Group (PMG) which manages players. Gavaskar, though, is yet to receive any communication from the BCCI. Rohan Gavaskar too might well come under the spotlight, as he does commentary at the domestic level on a regular basis.

Decision on Venue

The Lucknow (3rd ODI vs New Zealand), Guwahati (3rd T20I vs Australia) and Trivandrum (3rd T20I vs Sri Lanka) games will be subject to the approval of the venues by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The state associations will be allowed to retain these games but at a different location if the ICC approval does not come in time. The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has requested for some time to complete the ground but with there being a standing instruction from the Supreme Court over funds freeze, the association will be asked to independently manage the match with any financial assistance.