RAJKOT: Objections raised by the Justice Lodha panel against the BCCI model of administration are multifarious. One state one vote, age bar of 70 on administrators and conflict of interest are among the prominent ones. The Saurashtra Cricket Association is an affiliate seen as violating several proposed guidelines.
The SCA is one of three BCCI units from the state other than the associations of Gujarat and Baroda. Secretary Niranjan Shah turns 72 in June, and has been in that chair for close to 44 years. Detractors also say his son Jaidev is the captain of Saurashtra largely due to the position of power his father enjoys.
Sitting in his office at the swanky SCA Stadium, decorated with photographs of local stalwarts past and present, the former BCCI secretary explains why he has filed a review plea at the Supreme Court and why he thinks his position doesn’t contradict the principles of good governance. The SCA has also filed a petition. Both await a first hearing.
“It’s not my fault if SCA members find me suitable for this post and elect me. If Chief Ministers can get re-elected for successive terms, what’s wrong with cricket administrators? I’ve spent years in the development of cricket in the region, and the progress made by Saurashtra shows we’ve done some good work,” Shah told Express.
Going by record, Saurashtra has indeed become a stronger entity in the domestic circuit in the last decade or so. After gaining promotion in the now defunct Elite-Plate system in Ranji Trophy, the team has won the national one-day championship, other than finishing Ranji runners-up twice in the last four years.
A former left-handed batsman, who played 12 first-class matches in the 60s and 70s, Shah feels officials can claim a share of credit. “SCA has taken the game to remote corners, and spends `50 lakh per year as grant to 13 districts. This doesn’t include equipment worth several lakhs that the association supplies free of cost. Each district has age-group tournaments to scout talent. Good players used to leave Saurashtra for greener pastures. Today, we’ve home grown internationals. Rajkot has become a Test and IPL venue. It has been possible because of the infrastructure built by us. It’s unfair to conclude we don’t contribute to cricket.”
About his son, who is also a left-handed batsman with a modest first-class average of 27.38, Shah claims he isn’t part of the selection process. “As secretary, I sign the list after selection, but don’t take part in meetings. Selectors take a call on captaincy, and I guess my son is captain because Saurashtra have made progress under him.”
Influence or credibility, junior Shah holds the record for captaining in most Ranji Trophy games — 88. Saurashtra won the one-day crown in 2007-8 under him, apart from reaching Ranji finals in 2012-13 and 2015-16. But he cuts a different figure as a batsman, which can lead to questions on his place in the team.
On Manohar
Shah was part of the group that was instrumental in convincing Shashank Manohar to become BCCI president for a second time. With talks intensifying of him leaving the board and becoming ICC chairman, Shah said he is prepared for the possibility.
“We thought of Manohar because of his clean image, legal knowledge and other credentials. With the board going through so much, his services are required at this hour. I’ll be disappointed, and surprised, if he quits. At the same time, it’s his personal call. BCCI will survive without him.”