Board of Control for Cricket in India's Credibility Very Low: Bishan Singh Bedi

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is a mighty force in world sports. It is one of the 'Big Three' that virtually controls the governance of the International Cricket Council. India's powers come from cricket's massive following, broadcast deals and interest from corporates.

The BCCI's riches have only grown over time. It has received jolts from time to time only to bounce back strongly. The recent pullout of Pepsi as IPL title sponsors was quickly filled by Vivo, a Chinese mobile company. STAR India is one of BCCI's biggest allies.

BCCI's matters are handled by various committees. Apart from getting lucrative allowances and perks, committee members do a honorary job. The glamour to associate with Indian cricket is good enough to feel powerful and blessed.

The IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal 2013 exposed the dark belly of the Indian cricket. Two years of court battles finally exposed how senior functionaries wore many caps and protected their business interests with the help of cricket.

The Supreme Court said several persons involved with Indian cricket had conflict of interest. That has led to corruption and highhandedness. The top court has even constituted a panel led by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha to review BCCI's constitution. A report is expected this month.

The BCCI is unique. It runs on its own steam and does not need government help unlike other national sports federations which depend on funds from the sports ministry. BCCI has repeatedly refused to come under RTI. But the IPL betting scandal has yorked the Board's audacity to a great extent.

Justice Mukul Mudgal, who probed the IPL scandal, has exposed the BCCI's shortcomings to a large extent. It resulted in N. Srinivasan's exile from BCCI and ICC administration. Srinivasan, a business tycoon from Chennai, was considered to be the strongest person in world cricket ever since he became BCCI chief in 2011.

After Supreme Court cracked the whip, the BCCI has started addressing its shortcomings. New president Shashank Manohar has already started the cleaning up process. The BCCI seems focused on removing all cases of conflict of interest. The resignation of IPL COO Sundar Raman indicates that Board is serious this time. But is that enough?

The Hindustan Times Leadership Summit discussion featuring Justice Mudgal, former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell and Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, is likely to throw up some interesting observations. Here are some highlights:

- BCCI is a bully, says former Australian skipper Ian Chappell when asked to describe it in one word

- Gautam Gambhir says BCCI is 'transparent' when asked to describe it in one word

- The accountability of the BCCI is absolutely zero: Bishan Singh Bedi

- BCCI should have an executive officer to oversee the affairs: Mukul Mudgal

- Sharing of spoils biggest evil in BCCI: Mukul Mudgal

- You got to have the right people in the mix, especially those who have played the sport: Gautam Gambhir

- Putting an administration body together is like picking a cricket team: Ian Chappell

- India has a lot of power now, but with power comes responsibility: Ian Chappell

- The credibility factor is very low as far as the BCCI is concerned: Bishan Singh Bedi

- The BCCI anti-corruption unit does not have coordination with the police: Mukul Mudgal

- The players' voice is very important in issues of match-fixing or chucking: Bishan Singh Bedi

- Everything in cricket administration these days seems to be related to the bottom line: Ian Chappell

- BCCI becoming professional depends on the quality of people involved: Gautam Gambhir

- I personally feel BCCI should have the moral responsibility to promote other sports: Gautam Gambhir

- BCCI has got way too many politicians involved. Cutting back on them isn't a bad start: Ian Chappell