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Communication gap

The new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, A C Muthiah, sounded positive and optimistic when he announced, no sooner had he assumed office, that he would like to concentrate more on India's domestic cricket.

He surely couldn't have begun on a better note. So many presidents have come and gone, but none spared a thought for the declining standard of first class cricket in the country. All they've concentrated on is international cricket, how to maximise revenue for the Board, and the general attitude was to hell with first class cricket.

Muthiah, it seems, is a man of few words who believes in action. That, I feel, is a great sign for Indian cricket. The need of the hour is to have a man who can take decisions independently as far as the good of the game is concerned. The president of the Board is the ultimate position in the governing body, and the coveted post should be used by the incumbent to promote the game, irrespective of the fact that, in doing so, he may have to tread on a few toes. In the past, some of those who occupied the chair did not have the guts to take bold steps, for the simple reason that they, after enjoying the high office, still vied for plum posts in the Board after their term was over. That should not be the case, though unfortunately, it is a reality.

In fact, for the sake of first class cricket, Mr Muthiah would do well to form a committee comprising three to four cricketers (first class cricketers included, mind you) who have experience and, more importantly, integrity. It should be the responsibility of this committee to suggest ways and means to improve the game at the first class level. The decisions taken by this committee should then be binding on the Board and must be implemented immediately.

Over the years, the technical committee of the Board has turned out to be nothing but a big joke. The Board just doesn't seem to be bothered whether they meet or not. In fact, I'd like to know how many times they actually did meet during the last season. I'd be surprised to hear if they did so even once.

I also believe that during the last AGM of the Board, nobody uttered a word about first class cricket, and whether the super league, which was introduced on a three-year trial basis, ought to be persisted with or done away altogether. Everybody, it seems, was interested only in getting themselves included on some committee or the other. What a pity.

In my columns, I have been regularly writing about the ineffectiveness of the super league in the Ranji Trophy. All it has given us is quantity, and not quality. But then, does anyone really care? As long as the game goes on, no matter in which direction, not many in the Board think in terms of improving it. No wonder they packed their bags and headed home no sooner the meeting had ended.

I'd also like to know if any discussion took place regarding the much publicised indoor cricket school. We've been hearing of it for some time now, but nothing concrete has taken shape thus far. Can the Board throw some light on the subject? Period.

The recent controversy, regarding Kapil Dev inviting Agarkar and Sodhi to bowl in the nets at Ahmedabad, was unfortunate indeed. If Kapil had taken the Board president's sanction for the same, then the latter ought to have informed the secretary about it. Kapil obviously knew that a bowler like Agarkar would be required on the tour to Australia, and he possibly wanted to judge the player's fitness for himself. Personally, I see nothing wrong in fact. After all, he is the coach and knows what is best for his team. Why, then, was such a hue and cry raised about it? I simply don't understand.

As I see it, it was a plain and simple communication gap, nothing more. But, by making a big issue of it, the Board has shown itself in poor light. As for the statements made by the secretary - they did not go down well with cricket lovers. They were totally unwarranted, and that's putting it mildly.

Dilip Vengsarkar