Batting Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday refuted all allegations of conflict of interest levelled against him as he claimed to have neither “received any compensation” nor holding any decision making role in the Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians, PTI reported
However, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman, who is part of his franchise’s team management, has expressed his desire to step down from the Cricket Advisory Committee to clear his name.
The CAC, comprising of Tendulkar, Laxman and former India captain Sourav Ganguly are facing Conflict of Interest allegations. While Ganguly’s advisory role with Delhi Capitals came under scanner earlier this month, Laxman and Tendulkar responded to the allegations on Sunday.
Tendulkar filed a 14-point written response to a notice sent by BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain, following a conflict of interest complaint filed by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association member Sanjeev Gupta.
As per the complainant, Tendulkar and Laxman are allegedly performing dual roles, first of a “support staff” in their respective IPL franchises Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and second as members of the Cricket Advisory Committee.
“At the outset, the Noticee [Tendulkar] denies the contents of the complaint in totality (except the statements specifically admitted herein). No part of the complaint should be deemed to be admitted by the Noticee for lack of specific denials,” Tendulkar wrote in his response.
Gupta’s complaints harped specifically on Tendulkar’s role with the Mumbai Indians. “The Noticee [Tendulkar] has received no pecuniary benefit/ compensation from the Mumbai Indians IPL Franchise in his capacity as the Mumbai Indians “icon” since his retirement, and is certainly not employed with the franchise in any capacity.
“He does not occupy any position, nor has he taken any decision (including selection of team players) which could qualify as being in governance or management of the franchise. Accordingly, there is no conflict of interest, either under the BCCI Rules or otherwise,” world’s leading run-getter further explained.
In Laxman’s case, it has been learnt that the former India batsman, in his reply to the Ombudsman, has expressed his desire to quit Cricket Advisory Committee if such a situation arises. “Laxman’s case falls under tractable conflict of interest category. He is a part of the Sunrisers management,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying.
As far as Tendulkar’s role in the CAC is concerned, he mentioned that he was appointed as a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India committee in 2015, which were the only years after his involvement with the MI.
“The Noticee was appointed to the panel of the Cricket Advisory Committee in the year 2015. The Hon’ble Ethics Officer will appreciate that the Noticee was named as the icon for Mumbai Indians much prior to his empanelment with the CAC – which fact has always been in the public domain.
“Accordingly, the BCCI is aware of the Noticee’s association with the Mumbai Indians franchise at the time of his appointment to the CAC.”
Tendulkar, in his disclosure, further makes it clear that the role of an icon – the one he is performing right now in the IPL franchise team – in no way is a position either in the management or the governance of the franchise.
“The Complaint wrongly assumes that the Noticee’s association with the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise (Franchise) is in the capacity of “governance”, “management” or “employment” - thereby attracting a conflict under Rule 38 (4).
“His role is limited to providing guidance to the Franchise team by sharing his insights, learnings and working closely with the younger members in the team to help them realise their true potential.”
On his reply to Gupta’s question of him sitting in the team’s dugout – place specified for players and support staff only – he termed the allegation as “absurd”.
“A mentor cannot be qualified as “management” of the Franchise. If the complainant’s absurd logic were to be applied, a physiotherapist, trainer or a masseur would also be qualified as “management” of the dranchise,” Tendulkar responded.
“It is also pertinent to note that the Mumbai Indians team has a head coach, who works side by side with coaches for specific disciplines such as bowling, batting etc. in ultimate coordination with the Director of Cricket Operations – none of whom the Noticee is answerable to or vice versa since his role is limited to that of providing guidance and motivation to the team.”
Also, in case of the Ombudsman willing to “continue proceedings”, Tendulkar has requested for a “personal hearing along with his legal representatives”.
