With ICC in Mind, India Can't Afford Hardline Approach Against West Indies, IPL Can't Shut Door on Bravos, Pollards

Even as West Indies players and officials blame each other for dramatically quitting the India series, Board of Control for Cricket in India officials say the future of top Caribbean stars is 'safe' in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). This was expected. Run by powerful people, IPL is a high-stakes tournament and West Indians players are highly valued. The man who the West Indies Cricket Board is calling the leading 'rebel' - ODI captain Dwayne Bravo - is a Chennai Super Kings star and apparently a Mahendra Singh Dhoni favourite.

Friday's dramatic pullout is surely going to impact BCCI-WICB relationship, but in the complex world of cricket politics, big-brother India can't afford enemies. The financial implications of West Indies' withdrawal may be high, but Sri Lanka are probably a better replacement. In terms of quality, the Lankans are expected to offer better competition and hence gate receipts and TV sponsorship could be better. Only the number of international match days will be considerably reduced -- West Indies were to play three Tests - and hence BCCI will lose out on title sponsorship money from a company that sells electronic products like mobile handsets.

Happier Days! West Indies' Dwayne Bravo (left) shakes a leg in celebration in his favourite CSK colours.

© BCCI

The BCCI has called an emergency working committee meeting on Tuesday, but a hardline approach may upset several equations at the international level. West Indies are not the only Board that is plagued by payment disputes. Sri Lanka Cricket often faces such issues with top players protesting fee structure and Pakistan's financial situation is not very prosperous. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also have financial disputes with players.

The BCCI, that practically controls international cricket in terms of riches, has to look at the bigger picture. N. Srinivasan, BCCI's president-in-exile, is now the ICC chairman. Srinivasan's 'coronation' as ICC boss was not smooth. West Indies were among several Boards that initially opposed the new models of governance and revenue share. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa also opposed the structure proposed by India and supported by Australia and England.

In what certainly was a 'compromise', West Indies cricket chief David Cameron and Pakistan's Najam Sethi were included in the all-powerful ICC Executive Committee that is chaired by Wally Edwards of Australia and includes Srinivasan and England's Giles Clarke. In the finely-balanced world of powerful cricket politics, Srinivasan cannot afford to antagonize West Indies or Pakistan. Srinivasan's diplomatic role during the height of the Ravindra Jadeja-James Anderson Nottingham Test row is a clear case in point.

Srinivasan is facing a Supreme Court probe in the wake of the 2013 IPL betting and match-fixing scandal. His position as ICC chairman has been questioned on ethical reasons. Srinivasan is also eyeing another innings as BCCI president. Under the circumstances, a tough stand against the West Indies Board and players can be counterproductive. BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, whose own existence in Baroda cricket is slippery, has clearly said that Bravos and Pollards' future in IPL is safe.

"There is no question of stopping them (West Indies players) from playing in the IPL. Our problem is with the West Indies Board and not their players. Whatever is happening is between their players and Board. The BCCI is not at all concerned with it. We have a contract with the WICB. Also, a lot of these West Indies players are bought by the franchises," Patel told Mid-Day. It's the players who make the Boards and not the other way around. Fans love their cricketers, not Board members.

With the WICB apologizing and expressing its helplessness, BCCI is unlikely to drag the Caribbeans to court or face international censure. India have to play the big brother's role to maintain its full grip on ICC and its members.