BCCI calls SGM to decide India's Champions Trophy fate

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: With the deadline to announce the squad for Champions Trophy crossed three days ago, the BCCI seems to be in no hurry to do the needful.

As per the latest developments, a meeting involving all the State Cricket Associations will take place on May 7th to decide India’s Champions Trophy fate.  The associations will cast their vote either in favour or against India’s participation in the Champions Trophy and based on the result, BCCI will take the final call.  

Why This Situation

The ICC, led by its first ever independent chairman Shashank Manohar decided to do away with the big three model in revenue share which gave the lion’s share to India, Australia and England. The BCCI was in no mood to accept this snub and decided to show continuous descent, even threatening to pull out of Champions Trophy which forced the ICC to meet in Dubai on 26th April. The meeting left BCCI red faced as it was voted out 1-9 when representatives of all other member nations, except India's Amitabh Chaudhary, voted in favour of a change in the governance structure.

Their opposition to change the revenue model was also rejected 8-2 by the ICC board with Chaudhary only finding support from Sri Lanka Cricket's Thilanga Sumathipala. 

What Next

There is no clear indication from the BCCI that it is thinking to pull out of Champions Trophy, according to Vinod Rai , the chairman of the Committee of Administrators.

"I am confident that a good decision will come out in the SGM. I think the decision will be like what everyone wants. In case the decision is different we'll see to it.,” said Vinod.

But what will happen if the state associations vote against India’s Champions Trophy participation? Rai did not give away much.

“We are on the same page. We have held discussions. Things didn't work out in our way but there is always avenues open. Nothing is lost. Nothing is a closed chapter. No need to be worried about,” added Rai.

Keeping the interest of the game in mind and India’s high stakes in it, one only hopes nothing is lost.