Tag: Board For Control Of Cricket In India

Rahul Dravid Virat Kohli

Dravid Reminisces On Virat’s First Tour To WI In 2011

By LokMarg

Ahead of the first Test against West Indies in Dominica, star India batter Virat Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid, who were part of the Test team that toured Windies in 2011 and played in Dominica, reflected on their journey in long format which has saw Virat coming back to Windies with experience of 100-plus Tests, with Dravid in a different capacity as a coach.

Virat said that when the team came into the dressing room and for the practice session, he thought about his first series as a Test player in 2011 which came in West Indies.
“When we went to the dressing room and practice session in Dominica and I can remember my first series here as a Test player. This is the country where it all started. And coming here to play after 12 years, having played 100-plus Test matches. This is just amazing. I had never imagined anything like this,” said Kohli in a video posted by BCCI.

“We all looked up Rahul bhai, we are blessed, only two members from 2011, life has come full circle & it has been amazing,” he added.

Virat’s first tour in Test cricket was disappointing despite the enormous success he had achieved in ODIs by then at such a young age. He could score only 76 runs in three matches, five innings at an average of 15.20, with best score of 30. Dravid on the other hand, topped the batting charts in the series with 251 runs in six innings at an average of 50.20, with one century and a fifty.

Dravid also said that it is special to comeback to the venue as a coach 12 years later with Virat, the only player active from that 2011 series. He also talked about how Virat was still finding his feet back then in Tests, but he could see that there was something special about Virat.

“To comeback as a coach and bring a team here after 2011 is special. Virat was the only player on that tour who is still active. I am sure Virat Kohli is proud of his journey from 2011 to now. It has been amazing and very nice to see his journey, going from a young player to grow into a senior player of the team,” said Dravid.

“The first time back in 2011, he was a young kid, he had done well in ODIs and was finding his feet in Tests. But you could see that there was something special about him and he will stick around. I never thought I would coach him. Now, I am a young coach, having just started and he has played more than 100 Tests the tables have turned,” added Dravid.

Since that series, Virat has established himself as one of the best players in modern Test cricket. In 109 Tests, he has scored 8.479 runs at an average of 48.72. He has 28 centuries and fifties each in the format, with the best score of 254.

In West Indies, Virat has struggled in Test cricket. In 9 Tests he has played there, he has scored 435 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.61, with one century and two half-centuries. His best score is 200.

Overall against the Windies, Virat has played 14 Tests and has scored 822 runs at an average of 43.26. He has scored two centuries and five half-centuries, with the best score of 200.

Overall in West Indies, Virat has played 30 international matches, scoring 1,400 runs at an average of 46.66. He has scored five centuries and six half-centuries in 33 innings, with the best score of 200.

He has played a total of 70 international matches against the West Indies, scoring 3,653 runs at an average of 57.98. He has scored 11 centuries and 22 fifties against the side, with the best score of 200. (ANI)

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Agarkar BCCI Chairman

BCCI Appoints Agarkar As Chairman Of Senior Men’s Selection Committee

By LokMarg

Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar was appointed as the Chairman of Senior Men’s Selection Committee by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday.

BCCI released an official statement to announce his appointment which read, “The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ms Sulakshana Naik, Mr Ashok Malhotra, and Mr Jatin Paranjape, interviewed applicants for the position of one selector in the Men’s Selection Committee. The three-member CAC has unanimously recommended Mr Ajit Agarkar for the said position.”
The committee further recommended Agarkar for the role of Chairperson of the Men’s Selection Committee based on seniority (total number of Test matches).

Men’s Selection Committee: Ajit Agarkar (Chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, Sridharan Sharath.

Agarkar has been one of the most decorated players in the history of Indian ODI cricket as he has made over 191 appearances and picked up 288 wickets with a cost-efficient economy of 5.07. In Test format, Agarkar has featured 26 times and bagged 58 scalps with an economy of 3.39. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Agarkar played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He made 42 appearances and picked up 29 wickets with an economy of 8.83.

Agarkar shared some memorable moments with the bat despite his prowess with the ball. The biggest moment of his international career with the bat came in 2002 when he scored a century against England at Lord’s. With this breathtaking knock, his name is now on the Lord’s Honor Board.

He even went on to break the record for scoring the fastest half-century in the ODI. Agarkar smacked an unbeaten 67(27)* while batting at number eight against Zimbabwe in 2000.

He also broke Australia’s pacer Dennis Lillee’s record of clinching the fastest 50 wickets in the ODI format. Lillee achieved the remarkable feat in 24 matches. But Agarkar managed to break Lille’s record in his 23rd ODI match.

The Indian pacer held the record for almost a decade but in 2009, Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis overtook him by reaching the milestone in his 19th ODI. (ANI)

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BCCI Announces Equal Pay For Men, Women Cricketers

By LokMarg

In a historic move by the BCCI ( Board of Control for Cricket in India), India’s cricket governing body on Thursday announced an equal match fee for both men’s and women’s cricketers of India.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to his official Twitter handle to announce the historical development.
“I’m pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing a pay equity policy for our contracted women cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian Cricket,” Shah tweeted.

BCCI secretary Shah also highlighted the new fees for the contracted players and stressed that the Indian Women’s cricket team will earn the same match fees as their male counterparts.

“The @BCCIWomen cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). Pay equity was my commitment to our women cricketers and I thank the Apex Council for their support. Jai Hind,” he added in another tweet.

Earlier on October 15, India crushed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022, clinching their seventh title. India chased the target of 66 comfortably, scoring 71/2 in 8.3 overs.

Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten at 51 of 25 balls and she hit six fours and three sixes. Harmanpreet Kaur was unbeaten at 11 at the other end.

Inoka Ranaweera (1/17) and Kavisha Dilhari (1/17) were the wicket-takers for Sri Lanka, but they did not have enough runs to defend. (ANI)

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Annual General Meeting Approves Women's IPL

BCCI Annual General Meeting Approves Women’s IPL

By LokMarg

The Women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to take place in 2023 after the 91st Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave it a green signal on Tuesday.

“The General Body approved to conduct the Women’s Indian Premier League,” BCCI said in an official press release. The decision to conduct the Women’s IPL was taken in the 91st Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was held on Tuesday in Mumbai.
Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) is set to start as a five-team tournament next year immediately after the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on February 26.

As per ESPNCricinfo, BCCI’s proposal plan consists of 22 matches and each squad will feature 18 players, with a maximum of six overseas players. More than five overseas players cannot feature in a playing XI at the same time, with four players from a full-member nation and one from an associate team.

Though BCCI has not finalized the schedule of the WIPL, it will end before the men’s IPL. The men’s IPL is likely to start in March. It is also likely that WIPL clashes with the first-ever season of the Women’s Pakistan Super League.

Women’s cricket has started getting popularity in India ever since the women’s team reached the finals of the 2017 ODI World Cup, where they lost to England. In 2018, BCCI launched the Women’s T20 Challenge, which was initially a one-match event. But over the years, it was extended to three teams.

The growth on the domestic front in women’s cricket has been massive, during the eight-year period between 2014-2022. A further breakdown also listed numbers increasing to 129 percent in the senior women’s category and 92 percent in the under-19 category.

WIPL will join The Hundred, Caribbean Premier League, and Women’s Big Bash League as T20 leagues that have increased the global popularity of women’s cricket. (ANI)

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36th Prez Of BCCI

Binny Appointed As 36th Prez Of BCCI

By LokMarg

Former Indian cricketer Roger Binny was elected as the 36th President of the Indian cricket body, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday.

The 91st Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was held in Mumbai. Notably, Binny was the only candidate to have filed a nomination for the top post.
Sourav Ganguly ended his BCCI President’s stint after three long years.

Jay Shah will continue to serve as the BCCI Secretary. Ashish Shelar has been appointed as BCCI Treasurer. Rajeev Shukla will be the vice president, whereas Devajit Saikia will be the joint secretary.

Arun Dhumal has been appointed as the Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman.

Binny has represented India in 27 test matches and 72 ODIs. The right-arm pacer bagged 47 wickets in tests while also picking 77 in ODIs. He was a crucial contributor to India’s first-ever World Cup victory being the highest wicket-taker for India in the 1983 World Cup with 18 wickets.

Member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Binny was a strong contender to succeed Ganguly after the former India captain’s exit was confirmed. Binny has previously served as a member of the BCCI selection committee. (ANI)

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36th Prez Of BCCI

Roger Binny Likely To Replace Sourav Ganguly As BCCI Chief

By LokMarg

Former Indian cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Roger Binny is likely to be the next BCCI President replacing Sourav Ganguly as per the sources in BCCI.

Binny has previously served as a member of the BCCI selection committee. The former pacer Roger Binny is said to be the frontrunner to replace Ganguly as the BCCI president and Jay Shah is expected to continue as the BCCI secretary.

Roger Binny’s name appeared on the BCCI’s Draft Electoral Rolls (put up on the BCCI website) for the October 18 elections and the Annual General Meeting as a representative of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Thursday instead of KSCA secretary Santosh Menon. All these led to speculation of former seamer being the frontrunner for the post of BCCI President.

As per sources, Sourav Ganguly is likely going to become India’s representative for the International Cricket Council Chairman’s post.

The nominations can be filled on October 11 and 12, the scrutiny of the nominations will take place on October 13 and the candidates can withdraw their nominations latest by October 14. The elections will be held here on October 18. (ANI)

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Virat Kohli’s Public Comments on Losing ODI Captaincy

‘Kohli’s Captaincy Issue Should Have Been Resolved Inside BCCI Walls’

By LokMarg

Mirza Danish Alam, a cricketer and coach from Moradabad, UP, feels the media portrayal of Virat Kohli’s public comments on losing ODI captaincy as revolt of sorts is unfair

Ever since Virat Kohli held his candid press conference about his removal as ODI captain, and other issues, the media is having a field day. Many have tried to project this as Kohli coming out against the cricket control board. Being a cricketer myself (I have been playing professional cricket since 2008 and run a coaching centre since 2015) I would advise people and cricket fans to be kind to the players and do not judge. Let me explain why.

The selection of professional cricketers in national, state or premier league teams is dependent on a lot of factors, and the pandemic has made it even tougher. Athletes being confined at home or in bio bubbles, not being able to do proper practice, playing matches without any spectators present, the worry about when future matches or tournaments might take place… the pressure outside the field is also immense. Which is why I believe that everyone should be kind to Kohli and try to understand him and not see it as Kohli versus BCCI saga.

I have been a part of the U-16 National team, the U-19 Bengal State team, Bengal Ranji Team. I have played in various international premier leagues too. I have played with Kohli many a time and I feel he is a very passionate captain, even though Dhoni will always be my favourite.

Danish has played with Kohli on several occasions

If we speak purely statistically then Virat Kohli’s performance as captain hasn’t been very good in the past few years while Rohit Sharma has had a better track record. It is better for the team’s morale to have the same captain in similar formats. Kohli himself gave up the T20 captaincy, so I believe the matter of ODI captaincy could have been sorted out within the team and selectors rather than in public.

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I also know Dada (Sourav Ganguly) well and believe he has done a lot for players at every level, from domestic to international. He always puts players and the interest of the team first. You would agree with me when I say that the number of new players who have been given the chance, the exposure and the support in the last few years has been extraordinary.

Dada and Kohli both have a different kind of style and swag and I believe the media is making the issue bigger than it really is. The BCCI management has pulled up its socks in the past few years, corruption has come down and transparency has gone up. We have coaches who understand cricket well, be it Shashtri or Dravid.

Yet, it might take a few years for everything to fall properly in place, and until then we should not judge any side but understand them. There is no place for image management in cricket; only skills matter. The media should give matters a rest and let the future crop of players live easy. During the pandemic most budding cricketers could not keep up with their training and have lost two valuable years of their careers, their confidence and motivation too. We should concentrate on revival of their skills for we are all in this together.

Has BCCI Lost Its Thinking Cap(ability)?

By S Kannan

From one bio bubble to another, the journey of the Indian cricketers from India to the United Arab Emirates for the Indian Premier League and now Australia for a full-fledged tour has been a tough one.

Going by the experiences of many players, coaches, commentators and even photographers who were in the UAE for the IPL, staying in the bio bubble was not easy. The restrictions were huge and because of the Covid-19 threat, everyone had to follow the protocols.

That the IPL went off well in the heat and humidity of the three desert venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah for over 50 days has been well chronicled. In the end, even as Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians crowned themselves champions for the fifth time, many questions have cropped up.

In an age where social media throws light on more aspects than even the traditional media, a few things are certain. The first is how the Indian cricket board (BCCI) led by Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah is quite opaque when it comes to transparency in several matters.

From the selection of teams first announced for the T20s, ODIs and then the four Tests, there were changes. It suggested that there have been a few issues which have not been dealt with in the most professional way.

The issue pertaining to the fitness of star batsman and ebullient Rohit Sharma is laughable. He got injured midway through the IPL. Then came the announcement Rohit was not fit for the Australia tour and he had been dropped totally.

It caused ripples as Rohit was soon seen at the nets in Dubai and also played the IPL final. This showed the BCCI was impotent and could not tell the high profile Mumbai Indians franchisee that they should not risk Rohit. For the record, the franchise owners are high profile.

Today, Rohit has been included in the Test squad even though there is still a big question mark over his fitness. Yes, he can bat and hit sixes in the IPL. But the series in Australia will be very different. The Aussies have had a very good domestic season and picked the players in form.

ALSO READ: Covid Has Maimed Sports Fraternity

Going by media reports emanating from Down Under, the Indians have resumed training in the bio bubble. As regards Rohit Sharma, his fitness is not 100 per cent. First, coach Ravi Shastri said in a TV interview that Rohit’s injury is such, it can flare up again. For those not familiar with medical jargon, his Grade 2 hamstring tear has not healed and even during the IPL his fielding was an apology.

More recently, in an interview to a weekly magazine in India (The Week), Sourav Ganguly has said Rohit is only 70 per cent fit. It means, he could have aggravated the injury further during the IPL and the BCCI was a mute spectator to it.

It is well known, the IPL is cricket plus commerce. However, despite knowing players are injured, if the BCCI is unable to crack the whip and tell the franchise teams not to risk players, then there is something wrong.

Agreed, the IPL had great TV viewership figures and brought the fans a lot of cheer as watching Corona virus news and other banal stiff had become boring. Yet, for the IPL to wreck Indian players before an important tour seems to have been ignored.

This is not the first time the IPL has caused injuries to players. Even last year, before the ICC World Cup in England, the IPL was held. Many players had picked up injuries, though, at that time, Rohit Sharma was in blazing form.

Today, apart from Rohit, speedster Ishant Sharma is on the rehab list and even spinner Varun Chakravarthy is out because of an injury. The BCCI, headed by a former India captain needs to understand the importance of work load management and dealing with injuries.

It is easy to say injuries are part and parcel of any sport or athlete’s career. However, if it comes to other cricket playing nations, in the club versus country debate, playing for the nation is surely the top priority.

Perhaps, in a sport like professional football, the clubs have so much control over the super stars that the players have to give 100 per cent to the clubs. There have been instances where before the FIFA World Cup, top players have picked up injuries. It happened last year as well during the FIFA World Cup. However, footballers know they cannot hide injuries and their shelf life is much less than compared to cricketers.

The build-up for the India vs Australia series has begun. The Aussie media has been harping on how they love to have a go at Kohli and sledging will be an integral part of it. Of course, there are many who admire Virat Kohli for his batting artistry.

So, what are India’s chances Down Under?

Frankly speaking, this is going to be a very hard tour. The IPL players may be good for the T20s and ODIs but the Aussies are in a hungry mood. During the last tour to Australia, India did well, when MS Dhoni was part of the shorter format teams. This time, not having played ODIs for long, not having played domestic cricket at all, the Indians will be under immense pressure, physically and mentally.

ALSO READ: Indian Cricket’s Twin Towers

Last but not the least, why on earth does the BCCI want to treat Kohli so specially where he will play only one Test and return on paternity leave. It is understandable he wants to be with wife Anushka Sharma when the new one arrives in January 2021.

Ideally, Kohli should not be given so much space and freedom. The Test captaincy reins can be handed over to seasoned Ajinkya Rahane, a proven batsman with leadership skills, for all four matches.

Perhaps, the time has also come for India to look at captaincy being shared as flogging Virat Kohli all the time is not necessary. Indian cricket has made the same mistake before, when MS Dhoni handled captaincy in all the formats.

When cricket teams like Australia and England have split captaincy, India, too, needs to learn. The process of grooming the next leader in Indian cricket is not something which has to be done to spite Kohli.

There has to be clear thinking, which has been advocated by former stars like Gautam Gambhir as well. Kohli is the jewel of Indian cricket but he cannot be there forever. His control over Indian cricket and partnership with Shastri are very thick.

Perhaps, in the larger interest of Indian cricket, the BCCI bosses need to put on their thinking caps. Rightaway. Give it a thought Mr Ganguly.