BCCI

Is Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli's wedding news a publicity stunt?

Oct 252017

There has been buzz about Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli getting hitched in December. What led to speculation is when news surfaced that Kohli has asked the BCCI for a break in December. But those in the know apparently say it is a publicity gimmick for their new ad for ethnic wear. The commercial has them exchanging vows.

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli

Also Read: Is Virat Kohli Getting Married To Long-Time Girlfriend Anushka Sharma In December?

It seems to have spilled on to real life. Anushka is busy with her production, Pari. She also stars in Aanand L Rai’s film, Sanjay Dutt’s biopic and Yash Raj’s production, Sui Dhaaga, which has Varun Dhawan as her co-star. Doesn’t look like Anushka can go on a break. She might just squeeze in a holiday with Virat. With no denial or confirmation, speculations continue.

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BCCI frets over Farhan Akhtar's web series on murky underbelly of cricket

Celebrities

Jun 302017

Vivek Oberoi plays Vikrant Dhawan, a character allegedly inspired by former IPLâÂÂ?ÂÂ?chairman Lalit Modi (inset)

With the Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble war out in the open, Farhan Akhtar and Riteish Sidhwani’s upcoming web series around a cricket premier league couldn’t have been better timed. Inside Edge is expected to strip the veneer off India’s favourite sport and its heroes to reveal the dark underbelly characterised by manipulation, corruption and power games.

THE BCCI, the national governing body for cricket in India, is allegedly concerned with how the game, and its governance is portrayed. An episode surrounding a powerful character, that sources say is fashioned around Lalit Modi, founder chairman and administrator of IPL, is of particular interest to them.

Farhan Akhtar

In 2010, Congress minister Shashi Tharoor resigned after allegations of improper influence during the investigations carried out by tax authorities to probe the IPL valued at $4.1 billion. Following this, Modi was suspended by the BCCI after the final match of the 2010 series, saying, he had “brought a bad name to the administration of cricket and the game itself”.

Insiders claim the producers may be looking at collaborating with the BCCI, especially since they need cricket footage for Season 2. A potential tie-up could translate into the governing body promoting the show via its official social media platforms.

Even as the producers refused to comment, production unit hand, on condition of anonymity, said, “The show couldn’t have come at a better time. It will serve as a mirror to the way cricket is administered. The show looks at ego clashes, the power struggle between team members and spot fixing. BCCI is keen that certain portions are toned down, and in return, might help with necessary permissions for Season 2.”

Actor Vivek Oberoi, who plays Vikrant Dhawan, who is allegedly inspired by Modi, had said in an earlier interview, “For Vikrant Dhawan, power is a drug. He is a mastermind, a puppeteer. This is a world far removed from the normal one. The world [portrayed in the show] is real, the people are fictional. Dhawan’s world revolves around match fixing. You get to see how it actually happens. It’s about how a bet is placed and how it affects every level [of stakeholders], from rookies to teams.” BCCI did not respond to an email sent by mid-day.

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Ajmal will be the trump card for Pakistan against India, says Whatmore

Sports

Dec 152012

Pakistani coach Dav Whatmore feels that Saeed Ajmal will be their trump card for the tour of India later this month.

“Saeed Ajmal will always remain a trump card for us as we all know he’s a wonderful bowler,” Whatmore said. “He’s very much needed, and he will always remain a threat,” Whatore was quoted in a Mid-Day report.

The 35-year-old Ajmal is ranked No 1 in one-day internationals and Twenty20s, with 109 wickets in 71 ODIs and 69 wickets in 48 T20s.

Meanwhile, The Indian Express writes that Board of Cricket Control of India has accepted a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to postpone the Twenty20 International that was scheduled to be held at Ahmedabad on December 27 by a day.

The PCB wanted the match shifted because the fifth death anniversary of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto falls on that particular day. The match will now be played on December 28 and will have a 5 pm start.

A top BCCI official told The Indian Express that the match was being postponed by a day. “The PCB wrote to us that they want to postpone second T20 game as mark of respect to former prime minister Benazir Butto’s fifth death anniversary. The BCCI has agreed and we have no problem in postponing the match,” the BCCI official said.

Pakistan are scheduled to play two T20 games and three ODIs in the first bilateral series post the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai. Pakistan are scheduled to play first T20 International in Bangalore on December 25 before flying to Ahmedabad. India will take on Pakistan in first ODI in Chennai on December 30.

“We still have a two-day gap between T20 and first ODI, so there was no problem in shifting the game.” the BCCI official added.

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Ashraf thanks BCCI for shifting Indo-Pak T20 game

Sports

Dec 152012

Ashraf thanks BCCI for shifting Indo-Pak T20 game Karachi: PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf on Saturday thanked BCCI president N Srinivasan for postponing the second Twenty20 International between India and Pakistan by a day, which was scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on December 27.

“Zaka Ashraf has sent a letter to Mr Srinivasan thanking him for this gesture,” PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar told PTI.

The PCB, in its request to the BCCI, had asked for the Ahmedabad match to be re-scheduled as the fifth death anniversary of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007, falls on that date.

“The PCB chairman is grateful that the Indian board responded positively to his request although the BCCI had already printed tickets for the match on Dec 27th,” Sarwar said.

The game will now be played on December 28 at the same venue.

Pakistan will be touring India later this month for a limited-overs series comprising of two T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.

PTI

Ahmedabad Twenty20 postponed by a day

Sports

Dec 152012

The second Twenty20 international between India and Pakistan, originally scheduled for December 27 this year in Ahmedabad, has been postponed by a day, the BCCI has confirmed. The game will be played on Friday, December 28, at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium.

According to reports, the PCB requested the BCCI to reschedule the game, as December 27 is the death anniversary of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007.

The rest of the itinerary remains unchanged. India and Pakistan play two Twenty20s and three ODIs between December 25 and January 6.

Desperate DDCA to request BCCI for Awana`s release

Sports

Dec 132012

Desperate DDCA to request BCCI for Awana`s release New Delhi: In a desperate bid to win their final group league match against Maharashtra at home, the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) will request the Indian cricket Board to release their in-form speedster Parvinder Awana from the Indian Test squad.

DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan told PTI,”I will be speaking to the chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil and request him to release Awana for our next round Ranji Trophy match starting Saturday. I will call him in the morning so that Awana can perform his second day`s duties and leave by an evening flight.”

Meanwhile, a beleagured Delhi side having lost three away matches, have requested the authorities at Roshanara ground to prepare a `Green Top` which will atleast produce a result unlike the dead strips provided at the Feroz Shah Kotla by former BCCI chief curator Venkat Sundaram.

“We have asked for a green top,” informed chief coach Vijay Dahiya.

There has been two changes in the side that played Karnataka in the last round. Pacer Vikas Tokas comes as Ashish Nehra`s replacement while an extra batsman has been accomodated in the form of Jagrit Anand.

PTI

First Published: Thursday, December 13, 2012, 21:46

Balaji ruled out of Twenty20s against England

Sports

Dec 132012

India seamer L Balaji has been ruled out of the Twenty20 squad against England due to a stress injury to his right big toe, the BCCI has said. Vinay Kumar, the Karnataka seamer, will replace him.

Vinay has played eight Twenty20s internationals, and made his last international appearance against South Africa in Johannesburg in March this year. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, he has taken 17 wickets in four matches at an average of 20.58.

India play England in two Twenty20s later this month before a five-match ODI series.

BCCI deadbats Amarnath’s comments

Sports

Dec 122012

The BCCI has chosen not to respond to the comments made by former selector Mohinder Amarnath in which he said that MS Dhoni’s sacking from the captaincy role after the tour of Australia was blocked by the BCCI president.

“We don’t wish to respond to these allegations at this point when the team is due to play a Test,” Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary, said. “But I want to say that the BCCI has full confidence in the captain and the coach and we are fully supportive of the team. “

According to Amarnath, the selectors wanted to appoint a young captain after India’s Test losses in Australia, but N Srinivasan, the BCCI president, intervened to overrule the selector’s decision. There was massive speculation that Amarnath’s disagreements with the board were the reason his term as a selector ended abruptly when he was actually expected to be the new chairman of the selectors.

However, Rajeev Shukla, the IPL chairman, denied any such events happened. “I will not go into what he [Amarnath] has said,” Shukla said. “I don’t think it is appropriate to give statements like this. Whatever one has to say, one can say while participating in the [selection] meeting. Making comments about it, I think, it is not appropriate as it creates some kind of perception in the minds of players and fans. Selectors are independent. They are not under any pressure.”

Dhoni sacking blocked by board chief – Amarnath

Sports

Dec 122012

Mohinder Amarnath at the BCCI's annual awards function, Mumbai, December 6, 2009 Mohinder Amarnath has revealed the previous selection committee’s decision on relieving MS Dhoni off the Test captaincy was overturned by the Board president © AFP
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Players/Officials: Mohinder Amarnath | MS Dhoni

Mohinder Amarnath, the former India selector, has said it was the BCCI president, N Srinivasan, who overruled the selectors’ unanimous call for sacking of MS Dhoni as captain after the two whitewashes in England and Australia. “The Board President did not approve the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told CNN-IBN.

Post the Test debacle in Australia, Amarnath said, the selectors wanted to appoint a young captain for the triangular one-day series that followed, but their decision was overturned.

“We selected the team for the triangular series, selected 17 players but we did not select the captain,” he said. “The captain was selected by somebody else.”

Asked whether he questioned the decision, Amarnath said, “When you respect a person you don’t ask questions. But my question is, you have a selection committee those who think what is best for Indian cricket then why they are not given a free hand.

The selectors thought about stepping down then, Amarnath said, but decided against it as they, “did not want to create a big stir there as the team was playing abroad and the series was going on there.”

There was massive speculation that this was the reason Amarnath’s term as a selector ended abruptly when he was actually expected to be the new chairman of the selectors. When asked about that, all Amarnath said was: “I don’t miss it.”

Amarnath was asked to clarify a rumour doing the rounds that he was cited the BCCI constitution that stated he could not sack Dhoni without the higher-ups clearing it. “Neither will I say yes nor will I deny it, okay,” he responded. “I know the facts, and I will tell you the facts when I feel the time is right.” He did go on to say, though, that he was not aware of the constitution. Clause 13(a)(iv) of the BCCI constitution states that: “The President shall approve the composition of a team, selected by the Selection Committee.”

“When somebody becomes a selector, I don’t think you are aware of the constitution of the BCCI,” he said. “I was not aware. I don’t think even the current committee is aware of the constitution.”

According to the Indian Express, Amarnath, Narendra Hirwani and Raja Venkat, during a meeting in January this year for selecting the squad for the CB Series in Australia, wanted to sack Dhoni.

“Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary and convener of the national selection committee, consulted BCCI president N Srinivasan who shot down the proposal. Srinivasan made it clear that though the majority of the selectors felt that Dhoni didn’t inspire confidence as Test skipper the time was not right to remove him,” a selector told the paper.

Why does Amarnath think Dhoni doesn’t deserve a place in the Test side? “If you see his track record for the last one year as captain, I am talking about Test matches, not one-day, he hasn’t done anything,” Amarnath said. “You give a run to a guy. I am not saying you should remove a guy overnight, but if you see a guy is failing again and again, I don’t think it is going to be possible to continue with the same guy.

“I think he should be replaced in Test cricket. I am not talking shorter versions. He is an asset there, he has done very well, he is a match-winner, but with the technique he has I don’t see him do any wonders in Test cricket.

“You have to look at contribution of the players, where you are playing and what opposition you are playing. We have to move ahead with times, and we have to look forward. People who have contributed to the game, we respect them, we adore them, but what is important is future of Indian cricket and not to live in the past. Cricket has changed, age has everything to do in life. We have to look ahead.

“I believe in fresh blood. I was looking forward for a guy like Virat Kohli to take over as captain in one day cricket. I think he is a fantastic player, he is the future.”

When Amarnath spoke about moving forward, he was asked about Sachin Tendulkar and what his future should be. “Sachin has been a great cricketer, a great ambassador, he has achieved everything but I think they way he is playing we see a shadow of Sachin Tendulkar,” he said. “And I don’t accept him to play in the same fashion as he has done in the past. Age is a factor. He is not alone. Look at all greats. Once you cross mid-30s, things become little bit difficult, a little bit more demanding. He is no exception. He has to take it very seriously, and I think the selectors have to have a word with him, what are his plans. Then they should take a call and then decide.”

Are the Indian selectors toothless tigers?

Sports

Dec 122012

Mohinder Amarnath’s recent allegation about how the whole Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s removal after India’s 0-4 whitewash in Australia was dealt with has created a storm in the Indian cricket fraternity.

The former North Zone selector Amarnath in an interview to Times Now said, “Definitely, there were discussions to replace Dhoni and people had even agreed to do so, but for some internal reason it didn’t happen. I would not like to divulge what the reasons were.”

He did not divulge any further information but Indian Express went on to speak with Raja Venkat, former East Zone selector who said, “Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary and convener of the national selection committee, consulted BCCI president N Srinivasan who shot down the proposal. Srinivasan made it clear that though the majority of selectors felt that Dhoni didn’t inspire confidence as Test skipper, the time was not right to remove him.”

With majority of the selectors including Amarnath, Venkat and Central Zone selector Narendra Hirwani was in favour of dropping Dhoni after the dismal performance, but Srinvasan was against it.

The move could by no means have been successful after Srinivasan’s denial as the BCCI constitution has a clause which apparently states that the approval of the president is required while selecting the team.

Well, reason exactly not known as of yet why was proposal overlooked but then what the allegation does is that it throws light on how the cricket body in India is run.

Amarnath’s s statement does not help but makes one wonder why is there even a selection committee when the right to take the final call is vested upon the president.

After what had transpired in Dhoni’s case, it would not be harsh to say that the selectors are toothless tigers in this whole setting and work as a puppet to the higher authorities.

Because if three out of five member people thought of dropping Dhoni, ideally it should have happened but it never saw the light of the day.

There can be only two reasons for not dropping Dhoni even after selection committee’s insistence and they are either Srinivasan did not have faith in them or he just never wanted to change anything and let the sport be run the way it always used to be.

Whichever might be the reason, calling BCCI wrong will not be improper. Even selectors never could generate the faith, why were they selected at the first place?

It is a known fact and even in the past players have received immense patronage from the board president and nothing can be done about it.

But then what it does is that in the longer run the interest of cricket that gets side-tracked.

Dhoni’s case is a classic example to that. Dhoni did not receive the axe because of the people at helm and what happened is for everyone to see.

India are already 1-2 down in the ongoing series are poised for their first home series against England in 27 years.

Recent developments in Indian cricket show that the time has indeed come to change and the people at power should put the sport ahead of anything.

BCCI is an autonomous body and is not answerable to anyone, but in a nation where cricket is something which is equivalent to religion and cricketers are nothing less than Gods, demands an answer.