Mani matters for Dalmiya

Finally, the BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya has a friend at the helm of the international body. As ICC president Malcolm Gray steps down af...

Finally, the BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya has a friend at the helm of the international body. As ICC president Malcolm Gray steps down after a three year term, which was marked by regular ICC-BCCI feuds, Dalmiya’s close Pakistani associate Ehsan Mani’s elevation to the top spot might see a pleasant change.

The Mani-Dalmiya partnership, which saw them so successfully co-host the 1996 World Cup and also shared the platform at Asian Cricket Council, is ready for a second inning as a change of guard takes place at the week-long ICC meeting starting today.

Besides the sharing of dais at several forums, the two have similar ideas, specially when it comes to marketing and their agenda to spread the game.

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Before the West Indies got the 2007 World Cup, Mani had gone on record to say that the quadrennial event should be hosted by the US. A statement which brings to mind Dalmiya’s plans of globalising the game.

The London-based accountant Mani’s ascendancy is also likely to give a fillip to the India-Pakistan bilateral cricket ties which have recently showed signs of being normalised.

But besides the pleasant prospect of seeing his friend get the top job, Dalmiya will be in the thick of action during the meeting.

The compensation claims filed by the Global Cricket Corporation, rights holders for ICC events till 2007, for losses it suffered during the World Cup in South Africa on account of Indian players not honouring their contractual obligations are part of the agenda here. And since Dalmiya is not expected to budge, chances of the issue being dragged to the Court of Sports Arbitration cannot be ruled out.

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The meetings will also discuss the hectic international schedule and considering India’s never-ending cricket calender few sparks are expected to fly. Another thorny issue to be discussed is the relationship between the player’s association and the boards. The freshly-floated player’s body in India and Dalmiya’s cold reaction to it also hints at a debate.

There are also whispers that the Mike Deness affair too might once again crop up. The panel which was formed to look into the drama that happened during the India-South Africa Test series in 2001 has been unable to come up with any concrete suggestions. Another case of ICC dragging its feet and an perfect opportunity for Dalmiya to prove his point.

But from the look of things, this could be final chapter in the long running ICC-BCCI drama. With Mani at helm this time the scene will be different.