BCCI vs CSA - The game of favours and counter-favours

India and South Africa have witnessed some riveting contest, but power politics could derail a great series in the making

We are all busy making guesses about Sachin Tendulkar‘s 200th Test match and his farewell at his home ground, but aren’t we ignoring the BCCI’s U-turn from the tour of South Africa, and how this can be a very dangerous move for Indian cricket?

The BCCI is known for bullying and those who go against them, get to face the music from the world’s richest cricketing board.

BCCI is on the verge of either cancelling or trimming the all-important South Africa tour. The story unfolded in this manner – BCCI had some issues with Haroon Lorgat and they didn’t want him to take any position at CSA’s office; CSA, however, had faith in the abilities of Haroon Lorgat and went on to appoint him as the CEO; now, since then, BCCI hasn’t been able to swallow this fact and it appears inflated egos are at work.

This clash of egos will cause much monitory loss to both the parties, maybe more to CSA, but what about this young Indian side that needs experience and exposure?

South Africa is a very challenging place to go and play Test cricket, and we have seen players grow in stature after performing well there. The Indian team is full of young players, and they are expected to play for a long period time.

Playing in South Africa against likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander would help them gain some valuable experience and this will prepare them for the future. There will be a time (very soon) when these young ‘inexperienced’ players will take up the bigger roles and if they aren’t familiar with all the different conditions, Indian cricket will suffer.

The BCCI is very particular when it comes to showing their power and dominance. The board, which is supposed to be driven by ideals of good governance and the good of the game, and whose first and foremost duty is to take decisions that are in the best interest of the Indian cricket, has lost its way. The so-called ‘wise-men’ take more pride in being called the most powerful and dominant board.

Once upon a time, BCCI and CSA used to share a very friendly relation. When the Indian government couldn’t provide enough support for the IPL during elections, the tournament was shifted to South Africa in 2008.

BCCI also organized a farewell match for Makhaya Ntini. This has been an old habit of the BCCI – making friends into enemies and then back to friends. Like a business organization, BCCI is trading favour for favour.

Their past record suggests that the relationship with CSA will be revived, and the business will flow again. A 7-match ODI series would be organized, giving CSA an opportunity to make lots of money. CSA would also oblige by voting in the favour of BCCI, whenever arises the need.

The power games will go on and on, but what about the Indian cricket? BCCI is only thinking about the second ‘C’ of their name i.e. ‘control’ and they have sidelined the other ‘c’, the most important one, which stands for cricket.

This story will soon lose its sheen. The dirty power-politics of the BCCI will manage to balance the relationship and all the enthusiastic fans will move on with the flow of the game.

But, if all this continues, then Indian cricket will only go downhill.