BCCI rope in big three

“The president of the BCCI, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, has nominated Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, Mr. Sourav Ganguly and Mr V.V.S. Laxman as esteemed members of the Cricket Advisory Committee of the BCCI, with immediate effect,” board secretary Anurag Thakur said in a statement.

“These legendary cricketers have accepted the invitation to be part of this committee, which will advise the BCCI on various progressive steps which are needed to be taken, that will enable Indian cricket to be better prepared for the challenges of the future,” the statement said.

All three, already involved in the game in different capacities including in the just-concluded Indian Premier League, will help prepare the team particularly for away tours and tighten up domestic cricket with their inputs.

“Areas of immediate focus will be to provide guidance to our national team as we set out to enhance our performance on overseas engagements, provide direction to improve our talent pathway and take steps to strengthen domestic cricket to better prepare our players to handle the rigours of international cricket,” the BCCI said.

Dalmiya, for his part, said, “I am happy to note that our eminent cricketers have come forward to lend their experience and insights as we work towards a common goal of taking Indian cricket to greater heights. The coming generations are bound to benefit from the guidance that will be provided by these luminaries and will go a long way in strengthening our existing system.”

Added Thakur, “On behalf of all my colleagues in the BCCI, I thank Sachin, Sourav and Laxman for having accepted our invitation to be part of this prestigious committee and I am confident that their invaluable advice will help Indian cricket regain its leadership position in all formats of the game.

“Their participation augurs well for the future of the game in our country and the noble intention to ‘give back to the game’, is commendable,” Thakur said.

“I have identified three four areas, their advice is very important. They have committed themselves to the BCCI. They played so many Test matches for India and their inputs will be very useful in helping us improve our overseas performance,” he added.

In a sense, the announcement speculation over Ganguly’s likely role as national coach or team director, which means the search for Duncan Fletcher’s replacement continues. Current incumbent Ravi Shastri could continue in his role as team chief. The Indian team leave for Bangladesh for a one-off Test and three one-dayers on June 7.

“The idea is good. They have a huge responsibility at hand. I am a keen follower of Indian cricket and what I find is a tremendous shortage of effective spin bowlers in the country. Our team can’t do well if the bowling attack doesn’t have good spinners. I expect the ‘Big Three’ look into this aspect,” Prasanna said.

“Another thing I would want them to do is share their experiences with cricketers at all levels, starting from grassroot. They have to take Indian cricket forward,” said Prasanna. Meanwhile, Syed Kirmani said: “I’m really glad that they have been inducted into the advisory committee. It’s a move in the right direction.”

But at the same time he raised a question on why BCCI was overlooking cricketers of his era who are eager to still contribute something to the game. “No doubt, the BCCI is the best sporting body in the world and they’re looking after their former cricketers like no other association. There’re no two ways about it. But why are the veteran cricketers of my era like Mohinder Amarnath, who have taught and inspired these recently-retired cricketers, are forgotten? That’s my only question,” Kirmani added.