Venkatesh Prasad in conflict of Interest circle for his involvement with the KPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been left bamboozled after Venkatesh Prasad has been selected on the commentary panel for the Karnataka Premier League (KPL). The reason for that is the former India cricketer is also the chairman of BCCI‘s junior selection committee and he has done that without taking the board’s permission. This is a clear conflict of interest issue and this might get the bowler in trouble.

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has roped in Prasad as a commentator for the sixth edition of KPL this year. The commentary panel also includes the likes of Brett Lee, Dean Jones, Michael Hussey, Daniel Vettori, Charu Sharma, Sunil Joshi and others. Now the board is caught unaware of this situation and wants Prasad to either resign from the selection committee or leave the commentary panel.

A top BCCI official was quoted by Indian Express stating that the bowler did not take board’s permission and now he might land into conflict of interest trouble. “He can’t do commentary in KPL. If he wants to, he will have to resign as chairman of the junior selection committee. The new conflict of interest rules are in place and those who are employees with the BCCI can’t be part of any other venture,” the official said.

CoA strict on conflict of interest issues

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has been severe in the conflict of interest issue which had led to the resignation from Ramchandra Guha. Surely BCCI is not willing to spark any other controversy as a lot has been already said in this case. Rahul Dravid too was questioned after which the stalwart relinquished his role in the IPL to take up the coaching of junior national teams.

Now through the official BCCI has made it clear that no such cases would be entertained. “ The BCCI has been tough on conflict of interest rules. Rahul Dravid was made to choose between India Under 19 coach job and IPL. The rule is clear: if you are on board’s payroll, you can’t work anywhere else. Everyone has to fill a declaration form now. Prasad can’t be part of KPL commentary team,” a source added.