BCCI dismisses conflict of interest claim against VVS

'All assumptions and conclusions to that effect are erroneous.'

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Ajay Shirke clarified on Thursday that allegations of conflict of interest against former India batsman V V S Laxman being a shareholder in chief coach Anil Kumble's company are "erroneous".

Media reports said Laxman, who was a part of the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, was a shareholder in Kumble's company, 'Tenvic', when the interviews for the chief coach's post were held.

Shirke, however, clarified: "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would like to inform all concerned that at the time prior to the commencement of the functioning of the Committee to interview applicants for the job of Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, Mr. VVS Laxman had very categorically clarified his current position as well his previous association with Tenvic Sports.

"It was during the course of the requisite communication, Mr. Laxman informed BCCI that he had sold his total shareholding of 5 per cent in Tenvic Sport in the month of March 2016 and also declared that he no longer held any shareholding or any official or unofficial position in Tenvic Sports. This took place prior to the commencement of the operations of this Committee.

"Mr. Laxman was therefore in no position of a conflict of interest at the time of selection of the head coach of Indian cricket team. All assumptions and conclusions to that effect are therefore erroneous."