CHENNAI: After the Supreme Court’s verdict of making BCCI president Ajay Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke step down, all eyes have shifted to the state associations to adopt Lodha recommendations. In TNCA’s case, current office beaters — president N Srinivasan, secretary Kasi Viswanathan, joint secretary RI Palani and treasurer-VP Narasimhan — will have to relinquish office.
There have been rumours that a couple of TNPL team owners and few commentators can fill the post of president. But there is issue of conflict of interest with all. Several former Test and Ranji players feel that in the current circumstance, K Srikkanth will be the right choice for next president.
Apart from being a former state and India player, Srikkanth has also been chairman of the national selection committee. “The game’s image has suffered a lot. Srikkanth has the stature and personality to be TNCA president. He’s friendly, approachable and knows all club secretaries. He has tremendous goodwill, and can argue for TNCA’s cause with the board, which comprises the likes of Saurav Ganguly,” said a former Indian cricketer from Tamil Nadu.
With regards to conflict of interest, names like VB Chandrasekar, L Sivaramakrishnan and HR Srinivasan all come under this bracket. “Srikkanth has no conflict of interest issue. He’s not associated with the BCCI or TNCA. Even the commentary he does occasionally is as a freelancer. Almost all names that’re doing the rounds have some commercial interest or jobs as coaches or commentators (contracted),” observed a former Tamil Nadu all-rounder. Another cricketer added that Srikkanth is close to N Srinivasan, as it was under the former ICC president’s tenure that the former opener was national selector. Sources close to Srikkanth said the former Indian captain is not averse to the idea of heading the TNCA. “Srikkanth has no vote, for he has got no team in the league. Normally, the president is nominated in the floor of the house at the AGM. So if he’s asked, Srikkanth is willing to take up the job.”
But sources say the TNCA is looking for someone eligible within the current lot of administrators to take over the reins. And all players are want the secretary to be an experienced and strong person. “The secretary runs day-to-day affairs. His job is almost like a political one — he has to handle players, club secretaries, government agencies and attend to court cases. So it’s a taxing and thankless job. Kasi has handled things well, but complying to new reforms mean one needs a strong person in-charge,” was the view of some former TN cricketers.
The SGM will have to be convened at a suitable date, as things get clear to facilitate the takeover of the new office-bearers.