Ousted BCCI top-brass seemingly commenced 'non-cooperation' movement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and their top brass have seemingly begun their ‘non-cooperation movement’ following their ousting by the Supreme Court. A report from the Indian Express has stated that they are attempting every means to create problems for the hosting of cricket matches in the country. However, this has not worked in the short-term as of yet since the two practice matches at the CCI are expected to go ahead.

However, as far as BCCI CEO Rahul Johri is concerned, it is a case of playing the first two matches in front of empty crowds. Although they are just practice matches, the fact of the matter remains that this would prove to be a good revenue generator for the Board given the ticket sales as well as crowd engagement activities as well.

The Mumbai police have reportedly quoted Rs. 60 Lakh for the force that will be deployed over the two days of the encounter, something that is a bit too steep for the Board at the moment. A source close to the board went on to make a statement regarding the same.

“The police informed us that they expect more than 15,000 fans to attend the match and as a result, they’ll have to employ more police personnel than usual. Hence the demand for a higher amount,” said a source.

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The TNCA joint secretary RI Palani also went on to write that the games had to still be organised. “Our league games are still to get over. As we organised the TNPL, our league cricket is still pending. We have a shortage of grounds now, so we thought we should inform BCCI about this. So we wrote a letter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and marked a copy to other BCCI staff members including MV Sridhar and Ratnakar Shetty. We normally don’t refuse in this manner but already we have had to postpone a number of our league games, which need to be held now,” Palani told The Indian Express.

“As per the BCCI constitution, only secretary, and joint secretary are authorised to convene selection meetings and president’s approval is required after squad selection. That’s the law. You have enough cricket lovers in this country to challenge it. Taking legal recourse (against the selection process) remains an option,” a former BCCI official told this paper. The selection meeting was delayed because Amitabh Choudhary wanted to convene it. But the Lodha Committee clarified to Johri that the “disqualified” BCCI joint-secretary stood ineligible as he had already served nine years in his state association, JSCA.