The big news: Supreme Court puts BCCI in its place
The Board of Control for Cricket in India seems to be fighting an already lost battle. After being pulled up by the Supreme Court on Wednesday for non-compliance in implementing the reforms set by the Justice Lodha committee, the BCCI needs to stop acting like a rebel. It was a double blow when Chief Justice of India TS Thakur warned the board to “fall in line” and set October 6 as the deadline after the Lodha committee had sought directions to terminate the present office bearers.
BCCI officials and office bearers told The Indian Express that they have no choice but to accept the recommendations at the Special General Meeting scheduled for Friday. Reports also suggest that Anurag Thakur, BCCI president and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, might step down, followed by the Secretary Ajay Shirke. We can expect a lot of resignations this Friday.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has made its intentions very clear. “BCCI, it seems, will go to the extent of defying court orders,” Justice Thakur said. “We had been anticipating such disregard from the board. We don’t appreciate such tactics by the BCCI. We have no difficulty in passing orders to make sure our previous orders are implemented.”
Other top stories
- Afghanistan stunned Bangladesh by two wickets in the second One-Day International at Mirpur on Wednesday. The Afghans thus leveled the three-match series 1-1. After electing to field first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 208.
- James Anderson is set to be ruled out of England’s tour of Bangladesh because of a shoulder injury that as been hampering him all summer. The injury also puts him in major doubt for the series against India in November.
- India's coach Anil Kumble defended Cheteshwar Pujara once again after captain Virat Kohli had verified former selector Sandeep Patil's revelation that the team management had spoken to Pujara about his sluggish strike rate. Kumble backed Pujara and said that strike rate was relevant for bowlers in Test cricket, not batsmen.
