Dalmiya splits hairs to play down the put-down

A day after ICC chief Ehsan Mani issued a verbal put-down of the BCCI for its contemplating an investigation of the GCC’s marketing of ...

A day after ICC chief Ehsan Mani issued a verbal put-down of the BCCI for its contemplating an investigation of the GCC’s marketing of the World Cup 2003, his friend Jagmohan Dalmiya took recourse to semantics to dispel that notion.

Mani, asked last night for his reaction to the fact that the BCCI had set up a committee to inquire into whether the GCC did enough to market the world cup, effectively said it was a matter between the ICC and GCC; the Indian board wouldn’t make any inquiries at the present time.

When The Indian Express contacted an audibly bristling Dalmiya for his reaction, he said: ‘‘The phrase ‘‘present time’’ is vital since it indicates that the ICC has not categorically denied us the right to investigate the matter.’’ According to Dalmiya, since ICC and GCC were negotiating the compensation claims, the Indian board has been asked to hold itself back.

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Asked if Mani’s statement was meant to nip in the bud whatever move BCCI had thought of, particularly after the working committee had intiated the process by setting aside Rs 50 lakh, Dalmiya did his famous rope trick again. He said: ‘‘We might have set aside the amount but the investigation has not yet started,’’ he said.

Later, Dalmiya had a piece of advice to the media as well. ‘‘These issues should not be highlighted since at the moment BCCI and ICC are talking about sitting across the table and solving the contract issue once and for all,’’ he said.