Calling the shots

As a tip of the iceberg, it was waiting to happen. Ever since N Srinivasan assumed the role of a supreme commander, India has come to be accepted as the overwhelming voice of the world. A law unto itself, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been getting away with everything. Undoubtedly, its purchase power seems to have added to the greed of the mandarins running the show. The latest instance whereby BCCI has virtually blacklisted the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is yet another indication that the Indian Board calls the shots, and the world watches without a murmur of protest. Technically, India has every right to demand its ounce of flesh, but the manner it has sought to end bilateral relations is somewhat dubious, when taken under any yardstick.

It is true that Rs 400 crore is big money but then, pragmatically speaking, what is the point in crying over spilt milk and that too in a country in which one is taught from childhood to be more broadminded and liberal when interacting with poorer souls. And the WICB budget is woefully miserable. But ending tours is not the best remedy, considering that even during the Bodyline series, although there were demands for cutting off diplomatic relations between England and Australia, better sense prevailed on the administrators and the show went on. There is a great lesson in the manner the row was resolved and it had nothing to do with money but in scoring one-upmanship in the middle.

What the West Indians did midway through the series is a disgrace to the long-felt beliefs of a sportsman’s spirit. They should be punished for the disgraceful manner they dumped their Board. But everyone seems to be missing out on one fundamental aspect – the rift between the players and WICB has been going on for quite some time. It is not for the first time that pay disputes have destroyed the West Indian cricket; it has been there even at the height of their domination. A good thing about the WICB has been that they never get carried away by the individual charisma of the players. Even Brian Lara and Chris Gayle were left high and dry for defying the Board’s diktat. But the same cannot be grounds for arguing in support of the Board when the Dwayne Bravo-led team walked out of the series. The fact of the matter is that even Board officials knew before the team boarded the plane that there was an animosity between them and the players and the death-knell was round the corner. There is this distinct possibility that the script may change to dramatic levels when it goes to the ICC. Not only is it headed by an Indian but he also has to come up with a solution that will not be biased towards BCCI. That will be a litmus test for the wily administrator.