BCCI to discuss Supreme Court verdict, T20 series

Mumbai: The BCCI top brass will discuss the Supreme Court verdict that upheld most of the recommendations by the Justice Lodha Panel in an emergent working committee meeting convened here on Tuesday. The meeting, which will be followed, by special general meeting in New Delhi on Friday will also discuss on the proposed T20I series between West Indies and India in the USA.

Supreme Court had approved the Lodha Panel recommendations, which cover wide-ranging aspects of Indian cricket at the central and state level on July 18 and given BCCI maximum of six months for its full implementation. BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke are also likely to meet with the Lodha Committee in Delhi on August 9.

Although BCCI has less choice but to accept the SC verdict but it is under pressure to acknowledge it quickly. Its top affiliate Mumbai Cricket Association has already accepted the SC verdict in toto in its managing committee meeting here last weekend.

MCA President Sharad Pawar who has to retire because of age cap of 70 years for office bearers and maximum nine years of holding office said that he has doubt on one issue only and would seek clarification from BCCI on one state one vote regarding the jurisdiction of players for selection.

Pawar who was the former BCCI and ICC chief also had said that BCCI should have no problems in accepting the SC verdict in toto. The BCCI members will also discuss the two-match Twenty20 series in USA scheduled later this month.

There are still some issues yet to be finalised like awarding of broadcast rights and US visas for the players. Currently, the Indian Test team is engaged in four-match Test series in West Indies, which is set to end on August 22.

Meanwhile, Shirke has reportedly responded to the Lodha Committee’s directive of putting the elections of the state associations on hold by saying BCCI isn’t “empowered” to stop state elections.