It’s not cricket

On April 18, the BCCI will inaugurate its bold new innovation for international cricket, the Indian Premier League. For cricket this is a brand new moment, the introduction of a format that changes the way team loyalties are constructed. Cricket has found it extremely difficult to expand geographically with the national team formats of Tests and ODIs. The IPL has the potential to bring new players from non-cricket-playing countries into the competition — and consequentially newer viewers. If the League works — and the anticipation that is built up is proof of a fair amount of success — the credit will go to the BCCI alone.

Ironically, April 18 could be dramatic for the Board for reasons completely unconnected to the IPL. On that day, the Calcutta high court is scheduled to take up hearings on former BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya’s case of perjury against the Board and its president, Sharad Pawar. That hearing is part of an unedifying witchhunt against Dalmiya by the current BCCI regime, and Dalmiya’s counter-accusations. This week the BCCI’s complaints resulted in Dalmiya being arrested and released on bail by the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police. It is certainly incumbent upon the BCCI to keep its accounts in order. But the manner in which Dalmiya is being targeted and the equally wild charges this is drawing from him appear to be cases of raw vendetta. These are the ways of small-minded political parties, who immediately upon assuming office in state capitals launch a blizzard of cases against their predecessors.

The BCCI has to do what it must do. But for the sake of Indian cricket, its office-bearers must conduct its affairs with more dignity than the average junta strongman. Just as the focus — and centre of gravity — in international cricket shifts to India, BCCI bosses should not exert themselves to confirm every stereotype that is afloat about them among rival cricket boards.