In the Rai of a storm

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BCCI'S reluctance to embrace reforms

The BCCI's opposition to the reform package was so severe that it forced the bench, in its hearing of April 2016, to ask the then attorney representing the BCCI if ‘the BCCI was refusingto reform'. The BCCI maintained that it was a private body which could arrange its matters in any way it deemed fit and that memberships were part of internal management.

With all the annoyance displayed by the Court in its last three hearings, the BCCI still had not considered it prudent to withdraw from its arrogant and aggressive stand and accept the reform package, seeking maybe one or two modifications to its earlier judgment (which the Court might have permitted). All cricket enthusiasts and followers of the game have wondered at the magnetic forces that compel people to stick to power.

How did Hardik, KL speak to Karan?

E-mail sent by BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry to CoA on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's insensitive views on Koffee With Karan: "I do not have the latest version of the BCCI contracts available with me and request that a copy of the same be provided to me.

However, the provisions of the earlier contracts and the practice in place would have required these contracted players to seek permission to appear on the show. Was such a permission sought? Was such a permission granted? If so, by whom? It is very unfair that sports journalists who are essentially the people who bring the sport and the stories surrounding the sport to the fans and play a part in ensuring the popularity of the sport, do not get access to these players for interviews but Mr Karan Johar was able to get the access."

No hike for players from 2011

The BCCI is believed to be the richest cricketing body in theworld. The BCCI rakes in revenue only because Indian cricketers have worldwide appeal. The CoA learned [in 2017], much to its astonishment, that the BCCI had not revised the compensation package of its contracted players since 2011.

Franchise before country issue

Today, players around the world first ensure their place in the IPL before they announce their availability for other leagues. Sometimes, it holds true for them playing for their country too. The most outstanding example has been that of West Indies player Chris Gayle, who was content playing in the IPL of 2017 and did not make himself available for his country's tour of England. Another remarkable example has been that of Ben Stokes. He was barred from playing due to some infractions not related to cricket. That seemed not to have caused him too much of consternation as he earned $4 million and that too for a mere eight-week engagement.

The problem with the NCA in Bangalore

Sadly, there's nothing outstanding about the present state of the NCA. It continues to exist with archaic and pedestrian facilities which are unbecoming of the cricketing giant that India is. (When the CoA visited it, Diana pointed out that it did not even have a ‘ladies only' washroom.) Team India is among the best teams in the world; the BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world. The BCCI is meant to be a colossus when it comes to pulling its weight in international cricket. It is also fancied to be among the Big Three of world cricket. We bring in 70 per cent of the revenues that ICC earns. Then why is our own academy in such a state?

MSD, Kohli spoke up for lesser lights

Another very commendable suggestion made by Dhoni and Kohli was that the remuneration package for the more senior and better-known players was not so important, since they earn sufficient amounts from endorsements, and that it is the B and C category players who need to be compensated better as they do not have other sources of income. I really appreciated this spirit of speaking up for their other teammates.

Mithali and Harmanpreet go the distance

On 30 November [2018], I was advised by Saba [Karim, GM Cricket Operations] that the girls were keen to put the controversies to rest and close the issue. I admire Harmanpreet for reaching out to Saba and expressing a desire to have a frank talk with ‘Mithali di' to ensure that no hard feelings remain, and all issues are ironed out. I was asked to sit with them. It was with a certain degree of trepidation that I agreed. The meeting was arranged in Delhi at a day's notice. The sincerity of both the players was evident from the fact that Harman drove six hours on a Sunday morning from her home in Moga to reach Delhi. Mithali, who was playing a league match in Guntur, flew in that morning. We met and chatted for over three hours. Quite a few issues were straightened out.

Right or wrong to leave Diana out?

Diana [Edulji, part of Rai's CoA] was not included in this meeting [see above]. Maybe I should have involved her; maybe I was right in not doing so. However, none of the parties involved had voiced a desire for her inclusion, and so I decided to brief her after the meeting.

I emailed her explaining what had transpired in the meeting and that I had encouraged the players to let bygones be bygones and settle their differences. She was obviously annoyed that I had met the players without her and true to her usual frank self, she emailed me back, emphatically stating that I was wrong to have excluded her. She believed that she could have used the opportunity to resolve some issues, since she had also been dragged into the controversy.

Excerpted from Not Just A Nightwatchman - My Innings in the BCCI by Vinod Rai, published by Rupa & Co