Lack of funds puts India-Bangladesh Test in a spot

[rahul1117kumar]

The beleaguered Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a new problem with the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) stating its inability to host the India-Bangladesh Test citing lack of funds, according to a report in The Hindu .

Following the limited-overs series against England, that concludes on February 1, India are set to take on Bangladesh in a one-off Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad from February 8. With the HCA now indicating that it may not be able to play host the five-day game, BCCI has been put in a dicey position.

The Supreme Court, in October, had ordered the Indian cricket board to halt all fundings to its state associations until the latter adopted the Lodha panel recommendations in toto. The apex court later allowed the disbursal of funds for the smooth functioning of the India-England series.

With the Lodha committee implementing administrative reforms in the functioning of the BCCI, including the recent removal of several office bearers, there is plenty of confusion surrounding the Indian cricket board.

The Supreme Court, which removed BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke on January 2 owing to the Indian cricket board's reluctance and inability to implement the recommendations made by the Lodha panel, stated that a committee of administrators will be appointed on January 19 to oversee the business operations of the BCCI. Rahul Johri, the BCCI CEO, who is currently in charge of daily operations, is likely to approach the Lodha committee to put forth HCA's current predicament.

Meanwhile, The Hindu also reported that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has informed the BCCI that it would not be able to host two four-day matches between India and England's Under-19 teams in February. The four-day games were scheduled for February 13-16 and February 21-24 in Chennai but TNCA has expressed its inability to host the games due to "domestic programs" scheduled during that period.

"At the outset we thank you for allotting the India-England Under 19 matches to Chennai between 13th and 16th February and 21st to 24th February 2017. However, we regret to inform you that we are unable to host the matches at Chennai due to various domestic programs scheduled during the period," stated a letter from TNCA to the BCCI.

Lack of funds puts India-Bangladesh Test in a spot - Cricbuzz

 

[rahul1117kumar]

HCA begins preparations to host Bangladesh even as Kolkata is put on standby

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put Eden Gardens on standby in case Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is unable to host the one-off Test against Bangladesh from February 8. Like most other state associations, the HCA too is in midst of crisis and is currently in the process of amending its constitution as per the Justice RM Lodha panel's guidelines before holding fresh elections.

HCA secretary K John Manoj, however, stated quite categorically that his association is going ahead with the preparations to host the Test match that would be Bangladesh's first on Indian soil. According to Manoj, the HCA has finalised tenders for the in-stadia rights and the BCCI curator PR Vishwanath is scheduled to arrive in Hyderbad on Monday (January 9) to start preparing the pitch for the five-day contest.

"It is unfortunate that such rumours are being floated. There is no truth in it. This is being done only to malign the HCA. We are going ahead with all the preparations for the successful conduct of the Test. It's a matter of pride for us that we are hosting this historic Test," Manoj told TOI on Sunday.

The HCA will, of course be banking on funds from the BCCI to meet a big chunk of the expenses. The BCCI, on its part, will again have to approach the Lodha panel to help release funds for meeting the expenses. With the administration in the BCCI as well as all its state units in a state of partial paralysis following the automatic disqualification of their top office-bearers in wake of the Supreme Court order, there is considerable uncertainty over the hosting the match.

As of now, Eden Gardens will only come into the picture if Hyderabad stumbles in the run-up to the Test match.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was keen to play the Test in Kolkata, which is like a second home to their players, who enjoy considerable support at the venue. The match was allotted to Hyderabad in keeping with the BCCI's rotation policy.

A final picture will emerge only after the new three-member committee is constituted on January 19 to run BCCI affairs till the Lodha panel recommendations are implemented and elections held, both at the state as well as the board levels.

Bangladesh have never played a Test in India despite hosting India for their first-ever Test in Dhaka in 2000.

HCA begins preparations to host Bangladesh even as Kolkata is put on standby - Cricbuzz