In the last couple of years, the ‘conflict of interest’ has become a major topic of discussion within the Indian cricket fraternity. The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators running BCCI has been quite strict on the matters related to conflict of interest. That’s the prime reason why India coach Ravi Shastri doesn’t commentate in IPL games whereas India ‘A’ and U-19 coach Rahul Dravid had resigned as Delhi Daredevils’ head coach in 2017.
Things went out of hands this year when the legendary trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman were accused of ‘conflict of interest’ for being associated with IPL franchises despite being the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
Considering the magnitude of this issue, there was a meeting held in the BCCI headquarters on Monday (August 19) amidst several former India cricketers.
As per a report published in India Today, everyone except Sanjay Manjrekar was of the opinion that Indian cricket would be poorer if the 'One person One post' clause was taken literally.
Manjrekar, who is a well-known commentator after his retirement, said he was happy sticking to one profession.
"He spoke of how he has very early taken a decision to do one thing and chose to be in the media. He spoke of how he had declined to take up other jobs earlier when he got offers," a source present in the meeting told India Today.
It is learnt that everyone present in the meeting was amused by Sanjay’s comment whereas former skipper Sourav Ganguly, who made his presence via Skype, totally opposed the ex-Mumbai batsman’s viewpoint.
Ganguly made it clear that he wasn't a fan of how the conflict of interest rule was being implemented.
"Sourav spoke in favour of Rahul Dravid saying if he is willing to give his time and experience for Indian junior cricket and NCA, how could he be robbed of earning a livelihood with a company job that he holds," said a source.
Speaking to India Today, Manjrekar, refused to go into the details of the meeting and simply said: "It was nice of BCCI to get our views on this sensitive matter of clash of interest. It was nice to get views of all sections; past and present players, commentators, for them to get an idea. People who are on the job have a more difficult task. So they are trying to take all our views and take a more pragmatic approach."
Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji said the rules will stay for now until the Apex court reconsiders.
"Good suggestions did come in and also that we will formulate a paper and put it to the Amicus Curie to put it up to the Court. But as of now Conflict of Interest rules have to be followed because they are enshrined in the Constitution and as and when it will be decided by the Court, the amendments will be made," she said.
(With India Today inputs)
