BCCI has managed to keep itself in the headlines despite a break on cricket. The pandemic seems to have forced an unprecedented break upon on-field action throughout the globe but the English side along with Windies have given a much-needed start to the sport. Eyes of the world are on the Indian Cricket Board. Most are staring at the cash-rich board for the fancy Indian Premier League. However, there are few fans who glance at the board and wonder what is happening.
There are no selectors and not even a proper team manager. As a result, the team is deemed not fit to play as of now. Recently, the working chief of BCCI, Sourav Ganguly talked about the void with ESPN Cricinfo. According to him, the appointment of the new selectors can only be made around October. The statement strongly indicates that the side is not going to have a fixture in the near future.
Here’s what India’s ace spinner Poonam Yadav had to say after the proposed Indian women’s cricket team’s tour to England was called off earlier this week. #PoonamYadav #COVID19India pic.twitter.com/shWJMbrfVE
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 25, 2020
It has to be noted that the last consignment for the side was ICC Women’s T20 World Cup which was held in March this year. The plans of shifting IPL seem to be a reality now and it’s hard to digest the fact that a full-fledged league with eight teams can be logistically supported but a handful number of players pose a difficulty for the world’s richest cricket board.
We have reported that the Indian women team before venturing out on any new campaign will need a selection panel. The previous panel was helmed by Hemlata Kala and their tenure had expired earlier this year. An invitation for applications was advertised by BCCI but no further action has been since undertaken. The reported reason behind the delay is the inability to follow the protocols in light of the pandemic.
Also Read: “Commitment of BCCI Should not be Judged”: says Shantha Rangaswamy
Ganguly said that “The BCCI will start making the appointments [in due course of time] because given there’s no cricket at the moment, and the complete lockdown, and we not being able to go to [the board headquarters in] Mumbai”. He further added that “It is going to take some time because this needs following of protocol as interviews will need to be taken by a committee as per the BCCI’s new constitution, and this will have to be cleared by them, and it’s very difficult to do it without a face-to-face meeting”.
Shantha Rangaswamy (Former India Cricketer and Apex Council member) said the BCCI’s commitment towards the game should not be judged in the current climate.
Source: @sportstarweb pic.twitter.com/LKbzp5lMsh— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 27, 2020
One of the applicants namely Jaya Sharma told ESPNcricinfo that no word has been heard from the board’s side. Interestingly, there is, as of now, no one-point contact person for women’s cricket after Saba Karim resigned from his post of GM of cricket operations. Unlike, men’s cricket an advisory committee is not mandatory for female appointments. It will be interesting to see if the board under Dada takes care of the daughters of the country.
News Source: ESPN Cricinfo
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