BCCI to back ICC bid to include T20 in 2028 Olympics

Ahmedabad, December 24

No official of any state association raised the question of Indian cricket board (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly’s conflict of interest situation at the board’s AGM here today. There was no discussion on Ganguly endorsing a fantasy gaming company and an educational coaching management company, both of which are direct competitors to two major BCCI sponsors.

“Not a single question was asked and contrary to a particular media report, it was never a topic of discussion,” a state unit member said. “Ganguly is legally in the clear and as far as asking questions is concerned... The BCCI never questioned erstwhile president N Srinivasan after his son-in-law was arrested for alleged spot-fixing in 2013. That issue was way more grave.”

10 IPL teams from 2022

The governing body of the BCCI ratified the entry of two new franchises in the IPL to make it a 10-team affair from 2022. The decision to add new teams in 2022 instead of 2021 was taken because it was felt that there was not enough time to plan even a nine-team IPL next year — an elaborate tender-floating process, increase of matches and other organisational details would not have been possible to complete by the next IPL in 2021.

T20 cricket in Olympics

The BCCI, in principle, decided to back the ICC’s bid for inclusion of cricket, in the T20 format, in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, “after getting some clarifications from the International Olympic Committee”. “BCCI is an autonomous body and it would like to maintain its autonomy. Our legal team is looking to get a few clarifications. Obviously, cricket in Olympics is great for the game. Let’s hope we can move in the right direction,” a member who attended the AGM said. — PTI, TNS

Other decisions

Compensation for domestic players

It was decided all First-Class players, both men and women, will be compensated for the curtailed domestic season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The BCCI will give a lump-sum compensation amount to the state units.

BCCI may lose $123 million in ICC revenue

If the government does not give tax exemption for hosting next year’s the T20 World Cup, BCCI would lose around $123 million, which would be deducted by ICC from BCCI’s annual revenue.

Junior, women’s cricket during IPL

Women’s tournaments (senior and junior) along with age-group tournaments (U-23, U-19, U-16) will be held simultaneously at the time of IPL-14 which, in all likelihood, will be held in India despite Covid-related concerns.

Shukla becomes new VP

Veteran Congress leader Rajiv Shukla was named BCCI’s vice-president in place of his protege Mahim Verma from Uttarakhand. Brijesh Patel will continue as the chairman of the IPL Governing Council.

Chetan Sharma new chairman of selectors

Ahmedabad: Former India pacer Chetan Sharma was today appointed chairman of the senior national selection panel by the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which also picked Mumbai’s Abey Kuruvilla and Odisha’s Debasis Mohanty in the five-member team. The panel also comprises former India players Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh. pti

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.