BCCI doesn’t need COA nod to call SGM: Rai
In a significant statement, the head of Committee of Administrators (COA) Vinod Rai made it clear that the BCCI officials don’t need their approval to convene a Special General Meeting (SGM).
“They (BCCI) don’t need Coaapproval to call Special General Meeting (SGM) but yes they have to keep us in the loop. Also the decisions taken at SGM do not need any ratification of COA per se but if there is any deviation from SC diktat, the COA steps in,” former CAG Rai answered a PTI query after IPL Governing Council meeting.
Asked if the SGM will be held as per schedule on April 9, Rai said that no decision has been taken in this regard.
SHUKLA IPL CHAIRMAN
It was Rajeev Shukla who chaired the GC meeting and Rai said that he continues to remain the IPL chairman. “Mr Shukla is not disqualified as per Supreme Court order. Also the earlier governing council exists. It was Mr Shukla who chaired the meeting,” he clarified.
Shukla also said that there was no bitterness felt during the meeting. “The discussions with the COA happened in cordial atmosphere. We all want IPL 10 to be successful. We have taken a host of decisions for this edition of IPL. Mumbai gets a play off as their last year’s play off was shifted due to draught,” he said.
Among the IPL GC members, PV Shetty, Sourav Ganguly, CK Khanna, Aniruddh Chaudhary were present in person. Amitabh Chaudhary attended via tele conference while Jyotiraditya Scindia didn’t show up. MP Pandove is disqualified from GC as he is above 70 years.
Shukla also informed that five legends of Indian cricket will be felicitated on the day of IPL opening ceremony. “They are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman,” he said.
Another key decisions which was taken was that a one time ex-gratia payment to former women India international will be presented at each individual player’s home IPL venue.
RELEASE OF IPL FUNDS BEFORE THE START
Remodelling the IPL payment method, the Committee of Administrators (COA) agreed to release match funds to state associations before they host their first match.
As per norm, each staging association gets ~60 lakh to host every IPL match. From the total amount, ~30 lakh is paid by the IPL franchise before the start while BCCI used to pay its share two weeks after the completion of the League. However, the COA has decided the BCCI’S share will also be paid before the start of the IPL season.
Ajinkya Rahane is in high spirits after leading India to an emphatic eight-wicket win in the fourth and final Test against Australia in Dharamsala, in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli who kept himself out due to injury.
The victory handed India a 2-1 series triumph, as they regained the Border-gavaskar Trophy and also consolidated their top spot in the ICC Test rankings.
Rahane, who in the Dharamsala match became the country’s 33rd Test captain, has received accolades from various quarters after captaining the team to victory.
The Mumbai batsman played two extremely gritty knocks in Dharamsala which helped India outplay the visitors.
While Australia skipper Steve Smith lauded his calm demeanour, former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson, in an apparent dig at Kohli, suggested Rahane should remain India’s captain.
IT WAS RAJEEV SHUKLA WHO CHAIRED THE GC MEETING AND COA HEAD AND FORMER CAG VINOD RAI SAID THAT HE CONTINUES TO REMAIN THE IPL CHAIRMAN.
‘GREAT AMBASSADOR’
During Rising Pune Supergiant’s pre-season press conference here on Thursday, Rahane was asked for his take on the matter. The middle-order batsman said his style of captaincy was different from Kohli’s, but termed him a ”great ambassador for the game.”
“It was a proud moment for me to lead my country (in Dharamsala), but I would like to say that Virat is a very good leader and his style is different. I am completely different.”
Asked to elaborate on how his approach differed from Kohli’s, Rahane replied, “I am pretty much cool, calm, and that brings the best out of me. Virat is pretty aggressive and that brings the best out of him. Everyone has a different style, whether it’s a batsman, bowler or a captain.”
Australia and Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith too had his say. “I think Ajinkya summed it up pretty well. They are different people and Ajinkya is certainly very calm, cool and collected, whereas Virat likes to show some emotions and is quite aggressive,” said Smith.