BCCI shift focus on state associations over Lodha reforms

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur, on Monday, asserted that the Indian cricket board is ready to implement the Lodha Panel recommendations but added that the state cricket associations are still confused over the reforms, which warranted an intervention by the Supreme Court to sort out the matter.

"As far as the BCCI is concerned and being its president, we called all the associations and asked them to adopt the recommendations. Neither I can vote nor I can decide that whether they should adopt it or not," Thakur said.

"There is confusion on the part of state cricket associations and the Supreme Court should help and resolve the issue," he added.

Responding to the allegations that he sought International Cricket Council chief Shashnak Manorhar's help in scuttling the Lodha Panel implementation, Thakur said, "When Shashank Manohar was the president he had apprehensions on CAG intervention in to the affairs of BCCI and when he became ICC chairman, then being a BCCI president I asked him, what does he want to says on his previous stand and he has just given answer on that."

Thakur was accused of scuttling implementation of recommendations of Lodha panel.

In his affidavit, Thakur clarified that he had not asked ICC chief Manohar to say that he did not seek a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC), but added that he sought a clarification from him on whether Justice Lodha Committee's reforms amounted to interfering with the running of the BCCI.

Earlier on Monday, the apex court reserved its order after the BCCI sought more time to implement the reforms by Justice Lodha committee.

However, Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam asked the apex court to appoint an administrator or ask the Lodha Committee to do so.

BCCI counsel Kapil Sibal said the board has implemented several recommendations, adding they will if given time try to convince the State Cricket Associations to accept the recommendation.

Sibal further said that they do need approval from three-fourth members. The BCCI said it is against the 'one state one vote' recommendation.