Why N Srinivasan's ouster is good news for BCCI

The Supreme Court (SC) has dealt a blow to former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan's dreams of re-entering cricketing affairs by using different tactics forever.

A three-member Bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, questioned Srini's credibility and observed that "there was a cloud on his integrity as there were instances of abuse of authority in the past."

The SC directed BCCI's acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary to deal with 'matters of money' with the International Cricket Council (ICC), along with Chief Executive Officer Rahul Johri.

In simple words, the court didn't grant state cricket associations a chance to nominate their representative for ICC in a Special General Body Meeting (SGM) to be held on Tuesday. It is another matter that, as always, state bodies will go ahead with the proposed SGM at 5 pm in a desperate bid to showcase their unity against complying with the court orders.

This has come after many former ineligible BCCI officials tried to find ways of sneaking back into the cricket business, using different methods. Senior counsel Kapil Sibal tried his best to defend "defiant" state associations by stating that the SC orders of July 18, 2016, applies only to the office-bearers and not to the members and hence Srinivasan can be chosen, if that happens during the course of SGM, as "representative and not as official" to represent India at the ICC.

However, the court refused to entertain any such plea and reminded him that the "former president has been held guilty by the apex court for conflict of interest and hence cannot be allowed to represent the BCCI in the ICC meeting".

DNA had already reported that the SC had, on April 10, also ruled that "a person, who is 'ineligible' to become an office-bearer in the BCCI and state cricket associations, cannot be nominated to take part in the ICC meetings".

COA plays it safe

Immediately after the SC ruling, there was a sense of relief among the representatives of the state cricket associations, who were not in the favour of the Tamil Nadu strongman to be nominated for the ICC meeting on April 24.

DNA spoke to at least half-a-dozen state representatives, all of who were of the opinion that "it was because of him (Srinivasan) that the BCCI was in this plight". Even the Committee of Administrators (COA) has apparently conveyed to BCCI officer-bearers that they would not have any issue if the BCCI SGM nominates Amitabh Chaudhary (acting secretary) or Aniruddh Chaudhary (treasurer) for the ICC meet.

That's why COA never emphasised on sending one of their representatives Vikram Limaye, who was present in the last ICC meeting this time.

"There will be no excuse now for all defiant states or former BCCI officials who were propagating that India are going to lose heavily because COA has no experience to deal with other member-countries in the ICC," a state member opposed to Srinivasan said.

BCCI gains by Srini's absence

DNA has learnt that Amitabh's presence could well mean better ties between ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar and BCCI. It was not long ago, during 2015 BCCI elections, that Amitabh's candidature was even discussed by the Sharad Pawar group.

Though the former Jharkhand IPS officer contested and won from Srinivasan's camp but he has always maintained a cordial relationship with Srini's bête-noire Manohar. That's why there is already a talk among some members from the Manohar group that "Amitabh is in a better position to handle BCCI's affairs during the next ICC's board meeting".

In the last meeting also, COA representative Limaye launched a strong defence to protect the BCCI interests that will take a hit when the revised financial model, accepted in principle by the ICC under independent chairman Manohar is accepted in June.

The BCCI only managed to get the Sri Lankan board on their side and claimed two more supporters, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, later. "There is always a feeling among all other Test-playing countries that BCCI is behaving like a bully in world cricket. Not surprising then that two out of four BCCI's supporters during the last ICC meeting --- Bangladesh and Zimbabwe --- has apparently refused to back us now," a source said. "With Amitabh now inside in the meeting room, there is every possibility that Manohar would be able to use his influence over other countries to formalise a better financial deal."

The proposal will now be put to vote in April's meeting. For the record, Manohar has already said that "the principle of change is agreed and not for debate". But some BCCI members are still seeing a ray of hope. "There seems to be scope for minor alterations before it is finalised," said a source.

In simple terms, if Amitabh deals carefully, BCCI could well get another Rs 400-Rs 500 crore in its kitty, from the projected loss of Rs 1,000 crore.