BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has been in office for less than six months but it has been an eventful term so far. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he elaborated on a range of issues and the challenges facing the board.
Gaurav Kalra27-Jul-201519:10
Full interview with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur
What is your assessment about how the BCCI is perceived by the public at large?
Anurag Thakur: We have taken over when there is a great challenge, but I see a lot of opportunity. In the last few years, certain decisions have been taken for which the board has had to pay a price and the image of the board has been tarnished. We will try our best to implement certain things, which can take the game forward.The perception generally is that while the people change, the BCCI and its ways do not – do you agree with that?
AT Most of the members today are on the same page. Recently, we have sent a note to all the members to sign and send an undertaking of conflict of interest. This clearly shows we are working on the right path. After selection committee meetings, we are holding a press conference. We are informing the media about decisions taken by BCCI from time to time. We are trying to be more transparent and accountable in our working.Have you set any kind of deadline for a response from the state associations on the letter you have sent them asking to declare any conflict of interest? What about the conflicts that some players are said to have in their business dealings?
AT This is the first draft we have sent to the associations. If there are any observations, they can come back to us. Few may have some queries, the moment we clarify that; all the members will sign this document in a short span. As far as the players are concerned, we will go through everyone who is involved in the game, whether selectors, players or administrators to sign this conflict of interest document. I will be the first person to do so and my association will be the first to sign and hand over to BCCI.With regard to the recent discharge of the case against Sreesanth, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila, the BCCI has made it clear that the ban stays. But one argument says that when a court has cleared the players, why should the BCCI continue to impose these sanctions?
AT Criminal proceedings are entirely different to the disciplinary proceedings. The decision has been taken by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee, not by a court of law. Action has been taken against the players on the report of our anti-corruption unit. As per the BCCI rules and regulations, the ban on these players will stay.Could there be a potential situation where these players approach a court against BCCI? The Kerala association has demanded that Sreesanth be reinstated. Are you willing to counter all those scenarios?
AT Any Indian citizen can go to a court of law if they are not happy with any decision. Delhi police will go to the higher court to challenge the lower court verdict.Yes, but from BCCI’s point of view, it’s clear that there’s no way back for Sreesanth and others?
AT I haven’t received any representations from these players, so as of now the ban stays.The Prevention of Sporting Fraud bill was launched with a lot of fanfare. As an MP of the ruling dispensation, why is it that you and the BCCI are not pushing for this bill to come through?
AT I think that’s the job of the government, not BCCI.Would you like to see it come through?
AT I think it is very important to clean sport, not only in one field but all. Whatever decisions we have to take, we must take.Do you believe the time has come for BCCI to accept that it performs a public function and must come under the provisions of RTI?
AT This question has been raised in the past and BCCI has given a very detailed reply. As per the current law, we do not fall under RTI. It has been raised many times whether media, corporate houses, sports bodies and NGOs should come under RTI or not. It is not up to you or me to decide. It is up to the government to decide on that.As a member of parliament and a senior board official, you must have a view on it. What is your view?
AT I will keep my view reserved, as far as our functioning is concerned we are very transparent and accountable since the day we have taken over.You are part of the panel set up within BCCI to examine the Lodha committee verdict. Is it your view that CSK and RR should be terminated?
AT We have made it clear that we will implement the verdict in Toto. The working group has been formed so we can take a well informed, well thought decision, for the well being of cricket. The Mudgal commission took a year to come out with their report, Lodha committee took six months, we have sought only six weeks to speak to various stakeholders before implementing the report.Is it your view that enough has been established against the owners, and as a result there should be a move towards termination?
AT The Lodha committee has looked into each and every aspect of the situation. They have suspended the teams for two years. At the same time BCCI working group is looking into the details of how to implement it so that our players, especially the domestic players, should not suffer because of this verdict.Do you believe the IPL faces a lot of questions and one of the questions the BCCI must handle is about how to change this perception that something is rotten in IPL?
AT I think the media just looks at one side of the IPL, but there are many good things that the IPL has given. In the last eight seasons, hundreds of players have participated in the tournament, have benefited financially and from the cricket point of view. Our domestic players have had the opportunity to play with international stars. 900 cricketers get the benefit of monthly gratis to the tune of INR 50,000 every month from the income of the IPL. Former cricketers have got 75 lakh to 1.5 crore rupees. The state associations have got money to create better infrastructure to make India a cricket hub. The IPL has given a lot not just to players and associations, but also to the overall economy of the country.The Lodha panel also has a brief to suggest structural reforms in BCCI. As secretary of the board, does that concern you? The panel could recommend large-scale radical changes?
AT If you see the BCCI’s working in the last few years, you must appreciate that it is recognised all over the world. In 1983, BCCI did not have enough funds to honour its World Cup champion team. Today, we are one of the richest bodies in the world; we have one of the most successful domestic tournaments in the world and the most robust domestic season.The reality though is that in five months time some changes may be recommended that may alter the way you function completely?
AT We look forward to the recommendations of the Lodha committee, we are open about it, let the report come, we can look into the details and I can say on record that BCCI will be more than open.You had a very public spat with Mr. Srinivasan after you took over as secretary. Is it to be safely assumed that in September the board will move to remove him as BCCI’s nominee as ICC chairman?
AT Let me assure you that no decision will be taken on any personal rivalry. Let me also say I have no rivalry against anyone. Every interest will be taken in the interest of BCCI and Indian cricket.However, you did make a pointed observation in that letter you wrote to him which you released publicly, where you did say he needs to give certain advice to family members who have been caught betting. So, it is clear that you do not believe he is the right man to be leading the ICC?
AT All I wanted to make clear was that I worked with him for three years as joint secretary, I was not aware of any such list and it was never shared with me. At the same time, I am a politician as well who is clicked every day with hundreds of people. I don’t ask every one what they do in their lives. At the same time, if he has any such list with him, he should share it with me, other officials, and his family members as well.There is already talk of what your ambitions are. Are you already thinking on the lines of becoming BCCI president in the future?
AT I have two and a half years to prove myself as a good administrator. I would love to live up to the expectations of the responsibility that has been given to me. I was the youngest president of any state cricket association; in 2000 I was offered the post of BCCI vice-president. I did not take any position in BCCI till 2011-12. As the president of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, we have created one of the best stadiums in the world; at the same time we have created five-six new stadiums in the district.There has been some media reporting that Mr. Dalmiya is not keeping very good health. What is the status there? Is it reasonable to expect that he can see out his term?
AT We work very closely; we take most of the decisions together. Let me just say, there are many rumours in the air, but the facts are different. We have a person like Mr. Dalmiya, who has a long experience in cricket administration. Him being the president of the board is helping me as well as BCCI to implement certain things on day-to-day basis.One of the committees you established was with Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly- you have been criticised that the committee is really a PR stunt and no real work has come out?
AT On one hand you say cricketers are not involved, if we involve them on a cricket advisory committee, then what is wrong. All of them said they were available for any role BCCI wants them to play. We must applaud that all of them have agreed and want to contribute.But where is the coach, the hunt has been going on since Duncan Fletcher left at the end of the World Cup?
AT If you want to hire someone for next 2-3 years, you have to look into details about who could be best in the interest of Indian cricket. We don’t want to take any decision in haste. After this series against Sri Lanka we still have a couple of months to go to take the final call on that.What about the proposed series against Pakistan? Have you seen movement in your circles that suggests this series is on the cards?
AT If I speak just as an Indian, I will say there is cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. Even today there is a terrorist attack, in Gurdaspur district in Punjab. On one hand there is a rise in terrorist activity from Pakistan, on the other you can’t expect to play a cricket series with Pakistan. For me the safety and security of my countrymen is more important than a cricket series.So you are saying on record now that this series is unlikely?
AT This is not the way to go ahead. I was never against the dialogue process. At the same time, if you do not have good relations, you can’t have good cricket.The BCCI has been seen as a bully in the world of cricket. Would you like to see this impression of the board changed?
AT We try to take everyone along. At the same time, try and understand that BCCI contributes 70% of total revenue. India plays a very important role, every Indian tour is important. We don’t believe in bullying, we believe in taking along people with us. I think you can check with other boards that things have changed. We are getting along, and taking them along, at the same time, we are not compromising with the position of Indian cricket board.One of the failings of the team has been the lack of success overseas. Is that one of your key agendas, to make sure that processes are in place to change that?
AT I would love to see my team winning every single game in India and abroad. Our strength used to be our spin attack, which is not the same now. We had great batsmen like Sachin, Sourav, VVS and Rahul, which is not the case now. We have a very talented young side that can be built into world champions and we’ll take every step in that direction to have the best fitness standards, best skills, who can perform and give us the best resultsIn three years, where would you like to see BCCI and Indian cricket?
AT I would like to see Team India in the top position in T20, ODI and Test cricket.Sometimes the BCCI is described as a cosy club where those on the opposite ends of the political spectrum work together, it is said, for selfish reasons?
AT In any body, when elections are over, you don’t see who belongs to which group or party. You have to take everyone on board, you have to win their confidence, you have to take decisions unanimously, take every decision in the interest of the board and cricket.