MS Dhoni, Gavaskar and Shastri in conflict of interest circle

The BCCI has posted a revised constitution on their official website, according to which, it has dumped one of the premier domestic T20 cricket tournaments. The Memorandum of Association & Rules & Regulations of BCCI as finalised by the Committee of Administrators (COA) makes no mention of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which generates a lot of revenue for the BCCI.

As per the MOA on the BCCI website – Chapter Five: Management, Point 25 (2) A that deals with The Senior Tournament Committee talks only of the Ranji, Irani, Duleep, Deodhar, Vijay Hazare and Vizzy trophies. Also, the laws seem flexible when it comes to eligibility of players on the Women’s Cricket Committee (26 D).

“The Women’s Cricket Committee shall consist of five former women players who have played at least First Class cricket,” the rule says. “Played a minimum of 25 First Class games” is the criteria to be appointed to the (men’s) Junior Cricket Committee.
But, the last point (45. Amendment and repeal) does not appear too tight.

“These Rules and Regulations of the BCCI shall not be repealed, added to, amended or altered except when passed and adopted by a 3/4th majority of the members present and entitled to vote at a Special General Meeting of the General Body convened for the purpose or at the Annual General Meeting,” it says.

The illustrations listed out in Conflict of Interest (Point 38) appear to have been based on previous episodes involving former BCCI president N. Srinivasan and his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. (i) Illustration 4 reads: “F is President of the BCCI. His son-in-law is a Team Official of a Franchisee. F is hit by Conflict of Interest.”

In another example, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri seem to be the inspiration. “(iii) Illustration 2: “B is a BCCI commentator. He also runs a sports management company which contracts members of the team. B is hit by Conflict of Interest.”

And this fits for MS Dhoni and Rhiti Sports. “Illustration 4: D is a team captain. He is also co-owner of a sports management agency which is contracted to manage other team members. D is hit by Conflict of Interest.”