Diana Edulji, who has been included in Supreme Court's four-member panel to take Indian cricket forward, has her eye on the next ball in era of reforms
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Nearly 26 years after she played her last Test match for India, Diana Edulji (61) faces the biggest test of her post-playing career – to pull Indian cricket from the abyss of administrative turmoil.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court included the former India women's captain to be part of a four-member committee to run the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai, the panel also includes historian Ramachandra Guha and banker Vikram Limaye.
Edulji has always been known to pull no punches, so frank discussions on the game during these times of change can be guaranteed.
Her cricketing knowledge has been hard-earned through a five-decade association with the game, so the Supreme Court has performed the role of a 'selector' well.
mid-day chatted with Edulji yesterday evening after her appointment was announced.
Representation Pic/Thinkstock Images
Excerpts:
How privileged are you to be part of a committee to oversee Indian cricket?
I am absolutely privileged to be the only player – male or female – to be given this responsibility. That the Supreme Court found me fit enough is not only a great honour for me, but for all women cricketers. I hope I will be able to do justice to the job. It's a huge responsibility.
I know that Mr Rai is a no-nonsense man. At least, he will look after the tendering and accounting part. Mr Limaye is a banker and that will help too. Mr Guha is a historian who loves cricket.
Which is the one philosophy that kept you going throughout your sporting career?
My philosophy throughout my life has been to be honest to the job I am doing; to see to it that the players benefited and that sport was never taken as a joke. I never liked being taken for granted. I was more of a rebel; I was called a rebel in my playing days, but you needed to be a rebel to survive in the sporting world of this country. You had to fight for your rights and I was able to do that. We (Western Railway) were the best Railway in sports. Maybe, this background of mine helped the Supreme Court to take a decision and make me part of this committee.
Wasn't it a case of not liking what you saw of Indian cricket administration in the recent past?
Well, that's in the past now. Let's look forward and think of playing on the front foot and forget about hooking and bouncers. It's time to look forward positively and work amicably. It's time to take fresh guard.
Would you agree that some BCCI administrators performed their roles well?
Yes, they've done their jobs as well. They brought Indian cricket where it was and without that effort it could not have been possible. Also, BCCI would not have been possible without the players! I am happy that a number of BCCI and MCA officials rang to congratulate me, so they have taken it in the right spirit.
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