The big news: BCCI struggling with daily affairs

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is in a fix as its daily operations are slowing down owing to the Supreme Court's verdict on October 21, reported ESPNcricinfo. The Indian cricket board was ordered to seek the apex court's approval if it wanted to sign contracts related to media rights and ground rights, among others.

Without the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee's approval, the BCCI cannot take decisions as per their will. The Indian cricket board’s functions will come to a standstill if the Lodha committee fails to respond to an email sent by BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke last week seeking directions on how to proceed after the court order, said the report.

Decisions such as the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the England and Wales Cricket Board for the bilateral series starting on November 9, setting a new date for the India Premier League media rights tender and determining the limit for financial transactions to be allowed by the board without the Lodha’s panel consent, are at stake, according to the report.

In its interim orders, passed on October 17 and then October 21, the court had banned state associations from using the funds allocated by the BCCI. The state associations can only utilise the funds if they submit an affidavit stating that they would adopt all the recommendations of the Lodha committee.

Other top stories

  1. The West Indies continued put up a resolute performance after they were reduced to 38/3 by Pakistan to post 244/6 at the end of second day's play of the third Test in Sharjah on Monday. After bowling Pakistan out for 281 and then losing three early wickets, the Caribbean team's revival was led by Kraigg Brathwaite (95 not out). The Windies now trail Pakistan by only 37 runs.
  2. Zimbabwe put in a gritty performance against Sri Lanka on day three of the first Test in Harare. Zimbabwe were struggling at 139/6 after Graeme Cremer smashed a brilliant century (102 not out) to help his side avoid the follow-on. They were eventually bowled out for 373. Sri Lanka still lead by 169 runs and are at 5/0 in the second innings.
  3. Australia’s Mitchell Starc said that he is ready to play the first Test against South Africa starting November 30 even though he is still recovering from a leg injury. Starc was adamant that he will be fit to take on the Proteas on Thursday despite the need to safeguard his bandaged left leg. Starc has been fighting to regain his fitness after an accident during training in September saw him requiring 30 stitches.
  4. Opener Sharjeel Khan earned his maiden call-up to the Pakistan Test squad for the tour of New Zealand. Khan is a regular in the limited-overs team. Another uncapped player in the squad is Mohammad Rizwan, who was with the team in England in July 2016. Pakistan is set to play two Tests against the Kiwis this month.