Sharad Pawar can't be BCCI president again, Shashank Manohar can't vote, Anurag Thakur faces cool-off period
The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee recommended sweeping reforms for the controversy-ridden Board of Control for Cricket in India, on Monday, suggesting a bar on ministers holding office, putting a cap on the age and tenure of office-bearers and legalising betting.
If the apex court decides that the suggestions be implemented, it could well mean the end of the road in sports administration for Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar, while incumbent BCCI president Shashank Manohar could lose his voting rights.
The panel’s suggestions, which are in line with the proposed National Sports Development Code, could be far-reaching and affect many cricket administrators who are in power for long.
Let’s take a look at some recommendations and their implications:
Recommendation 1
No person can be an office-bearer in the BCCI or state association after attaining an age of 70 years.
Possible effect
It can virtually end the ambitions of Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar, who is 75 years of age, and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association president Narayanswami Srinivasan (71-plus) returning to the helm of the board.
Saurashtra Cricket Association chief Niranjan Shah (71-plus), Punjab’s MP Pandove and Inderjit Singh Bindra could also find it difficult holding office in their respective state associations.
Recommendation 2
One State Association-One Vote and others relegated as associate members.
Possible Effect
This means if there is a situation of an election during the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting, president Shashank Manohar cannot vote, as only Maharashtra will be a recognised voter.
Vidarbha and Mumbai will be relegated as associate members.
Similarly, Niranjan Shah cannot vote, as Saurashtra will be considered an associate member, with Gujarat being the mother state.
Also, states like Bihar, Chattisgarh and Telangana will be given voting rights as independent states.
National Cricket Club, a body with no cricketing activity, will lose its voting right.
Recommendation 3
Three terms of three years for office-bearers, with a cooling off period after each term.
Possible Effect
Current secretary Anurag Thakur, after completion of his current tenure, cannot immediately contest for the BCCI’s president's post.
Recommendation 4
Two terms of three years for a BCCI president and also that he cannot contest for any other post once he is elected president.
Possible Effect
Shashank Manohar, after the end of this term in office, will complete six years, which means his innings in the BCCI will end.
Recommendation 5
A person cannot simultaneously be an office-bearer of the BCCI and a state association.
Possible Effect
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur (president of Himachal Pradesh CA); BCCI Jt secretary Amitabh Chaudhary (President, Jharkhand State CA); BCCI treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhary (secretary Haryana CA) will have to relinquish at least one of the two posts, may be the one in the state association.
Recommendation 6
The Selection committee will comprise 3 members who will have to be Test cricketers.
Possible Effect
Central Zone National selector Gagan Khoda will get the boot as he has played only two ODIs and no Test matches. Also, one among Vikram Rathour, Saba Karim, MSK Prasad will have to make way in order to make it a three-member panel.
Sandeep Patil, having played 25 Tests, is expected to complete his term.
Recommendation 7
Legalising betting
Possible Effect
The entry of British betting companies, like Ladbrokes, through which people in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world regularly place bets on EPL matches, the Ashes, Fifa World Cup.
- Report of Lodha Committee on Reforms in Cricket - Final Report, Volume 1
- Report of Lodha Committee on Reforms in Cricket - Final Report, Volume 2
