N. Srinivasan Allegedly Hired London Firm to Spy on Other BCCI Officials
N. Srinivasan could be in fresh trouble with the BCCI, which will meet in Kolkata to discuss the former chief's role in allegedly paying crores to a London-based private agency to spy on other BCCI members.
The BCCI's first working committee meeting under new chief Jagmohan Dalmiya will look at the low valuation of the Chennai Super Kings and discuss the future of the Champions League Twenty20. Any decision to appoint Team India's new coach is highly unlikely to be taken. Reports had suggested former India captain Sourav Ganguly might take over from Duncan Fletcher, whose contract expires soon. But the possibility of Ganguly joining the Indian team in any capacity is very remote. (CSK Vauled at Rs Five Lakh Only?)
The BCCI's Working committe in Kolkata could also spell fresh trouble for former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan. Apart from the issue of undervaluing the CSK franchise, another issue that can land Srinivasan in thick soup is the issue of allegedly paying crores of BCCI's money to a London-based private agency to spy on other BCCI members, tapping their phones and tracking their e-mails in the process.
NDTV understands that the BCCI is expected to launch an official enquiry into the matter that is expected to be headed by Anurag Thakur. The board will investigate why the then regime allegedly snooped on its members and who authorised the money spent for this purpose in the first place.
CSK owners valued their team at Rs 5 lakh only. According to reports, the IPL governing council, headed by Rajeev Shukla has not accepted this valuation. Reports suggest that the IPL governing council is not happy with CSK's new value and has not ratified the transfer of shares. As per the BCCI rules, 5 per cent of the sale price of any team must be given to the BCCI. Effectively, BCCI will get Rs 25,000 only. The members will go over all the decisions taken during previous IPL meetings after September 30, 2014.
The BCCI will also deliberate on the CLT20. It is likely that the tournament will be scrapped. It has been a loss-making property since it was first played in 2009 with constant changes in sponsorships. Bharti Airtlel had reportedly signed a five-year deal for USD 40 million but decided to withdraw its sponsorship in 2011. It was then that Nokia came on board followed by Karbonn Mobiles and Oppo. ESPN Star Sports had paid nearly USD 1 billion for broadcasting rights over ten years, but the tournament failed to gather steam.
The international version of the Indian Premier League is no longer a hit with the sponsors. However, scrapping it may still be a complex issue. Since 2012, the CLT20 has featured four IPL sides. Domestic T20 sides from five other countries could also incur massive financial losses if the tournament is discontinued.
If that happens, the BCCI is likely to fill in the void by getting India to play more international cricket. The 2011 world champions might play in Zimbabwe or get involved in a longer series against Sri Lanka. The Indian team is in demand all over the cricketing world and setting up international series should not be any problem.
(With inputs from Rica Roy)