Let's save cricket the blushes

The Lodha Committee was appointed by the Supreme Court of India on 22nd January 2015 to analyze and recommend implementable actions for improving the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

One of its recommendations was that the so-called “old guard” should not be re - elected, obviously to enable fresh blood to be infused into the governing body of the game. Now, it does not require a very fertile imagination to conclude as to what the “Old Guards” were up to and why Justice Lodha came down heavily on them.

There was jubilation all round as “cleansing” was perceived but the same was short lived. If they could not rule the game and interfere at will, there had to be a loophole somewhere.

So what if they were over 70 years of age and hence illegible as per the new rules. Who was bothered about the “Cooling off period” that the committee recommended. If they were going to be put out to pasture, there had to be a better way to worm their way back in.

So now, their sons and daughters, son in laws and other family members , who may never have played cricket in their lives and have no clue about the game whatsoever , are the new Governors. Surely, this is a joke in poor taste.

Bengal, Saurashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat all have close relatives of the “old guard” in the associations. The BCCI has one as well.

Therefore, what has changed? What cleansing has taken place? What improvements will we perceive? What has justice Lodha to say about this? What is anyone saying about this? Why is this proxy ruling being accepted ?

One may say that the positive aspect is that our men’s cricket team is doing well and bringing honours to the country but is that the answer we are looking for?.

Why can’t we have a clean system, free from petty politics where the best men get the job and the best players are in the various teams – selected purely on merit?

It is about time we had cricketers at the helm. Saurav Ganguly as Head of BCCI is a breath of fresh air. If cricket at all levels in the country is to improve & do well then we need more cricketers running the various associations and cricket boards.

We have seen dynasty rule flopping in other spheres – let's spare cricket the blushes !