Don’t hound me, says ‘in exile’ BCCI boss

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India continues to live upto its reputation of keeping everyone guessing, this time on whether N. Srinivasan is back at the helm of the cash-rich body.
Srinivasan kept himself on the sidelines till the probe into the spot-fixing row by the board’s two-member committee was on but after the report on the same was submitted, clearing the names of all involved, he looked all set to return. However, Srinivasan and other members within the BCCI refuse to be forthright on the matter.
“I can’t reply, don’t hound me like this,” was Srinivasan’s reply on Wednesday when he was asked about his reported comeback at BCCI’ s helm.
The Mumbai High Court’s order of terming the probe illegal, in contravention to its own bylaws notwithstanding, speculation is rife that the working committee meeting in New Delhi on Friday will stamp the Tamil Nadu strongman’s comeback into the BCCI’s mainstream.
However, there is no official communication from the BCCI on the issue yet. Even board members say that they are not aware of any such agenda for Friday’s meeting. Some voices of dissent, meanwhile, from within the board are being raised, especially after the high court’s observation.
“In view of the Mumbai High Court’s verdict, it would be better if he (Srinivasan) shelves his plans of returning as BCCI president for the time being. He should wait till the matter is discussed and there is some more clarity,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying.
The Delhi meeting is likely to take a decision on whether to appeal against the Mumbai HC verdict in the Supreme Court immediately or wait till police complete the probe into the matter.
On the day, top BCCI officials held consultations on the implications of the court order and the possible options that are available to the board.
Srinivisan has remained defiant throughout the upheavals ever since three Rajasthan Royals players were arrested by the Delhi police for alleged spot-fixing in season six of the IPL. He only stepped aside, but refused to resign despite a huge uproar, after an emergent working committee on June 2 pending an enquiry by an internal probe panel of the BCCI.
With the BCCI’s probe panel, comprising retired judges T. Jayaram Chouta and R. Balasubramanian, submitting their report on July 28, a keen Srinivasan looks to come back as the board president and indicated that he will be attending the Delhi meeting.