Supreme Court bars N Srinivasan from representing BCCI in ICC meetings

What’s the story?

Former BCCI President N Srinivasan has been barred by the Supreme Court from representing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings in Dubai later this month. The bench of India’s apex court, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, delivered the ruling on Monday.

“It is directed that Amitabh Chaudhary shall represent the BCCI in the ICC meeting and Rahul Johri shall accompany him and he (Johri) will also attend the meetings of the CEOs,” the Supreme Court bench also containing Justices A M Khanwilkar and and D Y Chandrachud stated.

The bench declared that Srinivasan could not go as there were concerns regarding his integrity. As a result, the veteran’s plans to make a grand return to the ICC fold has hit a legal roadblock.

The Background

BCCI’s Committee of Administrators (CoA) had asked the three-member bench of the Supreme Court to ascertain if those office bearers barred according to Lodha panel’s recommendations could come back as representatives of the state associations or even the board itself.

The heart of the matter

Some member associations of the BCCI, as well as a few office bearers, had been orchestrating a move to bring back Srinivasan by nominating him as BCCI representative for the ICC meetings. The 72-year old, who currently serves as the President of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), does not meet the eligibility criteria due to a combination of reasons.

He is above the age-cap of 70 years and has served nine-year terms as an office bearer at the BCCI and TNCA. As per the Lodha committee's recommendations, the BCCI representative also has to relinquish the post at the state association.

Extra Cover: N Srinivasan's return to BCCI kept on hold by CoA

When the office bearers raised question marks over the technicalities of the eligibility criteria, the CoA referred the matter to the Supreme Court which in turn declared that the acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary will represent BCCI in the ICC meeting. CEO Rahul Johri is set to accompany him for the crucial meet.

What’s next?

ICC’s second round of quarterly meetings will take place in Dubai from April 23 to 27. Cricket’s governing body is expected to bring major changes to the game’s governance as well as the financial model. Meanwhile, on the BCCI front, the special general body meeting (SGM) is slated to be held on April 18.

Author’s Take

It is evident that Srinivasan has been plotting his comeback to the game’s power circles from behind the scenes. However, the Supreme Court’s decision could effectively put an end to his aspirations for the time being at least.