There is confusion once again in the corridors of power of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to a report in Hindustan Times, the selection committee meeting to pick the Indian Test team for the one-off match against Bangladesh was delayed by four hours in New Delhi today, after the BCCI Joint Secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary was not allowed to convene the meeting by the Supreme Court appointed panel of administrators headed by former CAG, Vinod Rai. Chaudhary was present at the venue, but as per Rai’s instructions he was not allowed to enter the meeting room. The meeting was convened by BCCI’s CEO Rahul Johri by video conferencing.
“Amitabh Chaudhary had called a senior selection committee meeting in Delhi today to select the squad against Bangladesh. Vinod Rai and Co have immediately swung in and barred him from doing anything. The CEO is directly convening the meeting via video conference from Mumbai,” a source from the BCCI who was present at the spot said.
If we look back, Chaudhary was also found ineligible to attend the selection committee meeting to choose the Indian teams for the ODI and T20 series against England as well. Interestingly, Chaudhary’s name figures in the list of three officials chosen by the apex court to represent India in the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai in February, though the Lodha Committee disqualifies him as an administrator because of his tenure. It’s evident from today’s incident that Chaudhary’s days as a BCCI administrator are over. The HT report also states that his presence in the ICC meeting in Dubai will only be to guide Vikram Limaye, who is part of the four-member panel. Chaudhary’s knowledge will help Limaye in the days to come.
Meanwhile the newly formed panel of BCCI administrators met in Mumbai today. It includes apart from Rai and Limaye, former Indian women’s team captain Diana Edulji and historian Ramachandra Guha. Guha however was not present in the meeting.
(With inputs from PTI)