Rahul Dravid helps out in two IPL committees

Rahul Dravid may not be part of any IPL team but he was not totally out of the league’s functioning. The present India coach and former captain of India was made part of two of the three committees of the league by the BCCI last season.

At the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Kolkata, Dravid was drafted into the league’s Code of Behaviour Committee and Technical teams. Dravid’s name finds mention in the minutes of the AGM circulated among the state units recently.

“Three IPL Committees were formed – (1) Code of Behaviour Committee comprising Mr. Brijesh Patel, Mr. Arun Dhumal and Mr. Rahul Dravid. This committee will act as disciplinary commission for code of conduct of players, team officials and match officials;

“(2) Technical Team comprising Mr. Brijesh Patel, Mr. Jay Shah and Mr. Rahul Dravid. This committee will oversee the implementation of the rules and regulations of the tournament and authorizing player replacements in case of injuries or COVID-19.

“(3) Suspect Bowling Action Committee comprising of Mr. Javagal Srinath, Mr. Hariharan and Mr. Arun Dhumal. This committee will review and assess the legitimacy of players’ bowling action in case any player is reported for illegal bowling action which contradicts the laws of cricket,” read a part of the 14-page minutes.

BCCI funds blocked

The minutes also mention that over INR 9000 crore of the BCCI funds are blocked in litigation. “More than INR 9,000 crores of the funds of the BCCI and the state cricket associations are tied down in non-productive and unwarranted litigation which can be better used to promote the game with more incentives and better facilities.”

Manjrekar’s BCCI exile ends

Sanjay Manjrekar, who has been kept out of the BCCI panel of commentators since 2020, is now back. He will commentate during the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa. Incidentally enough, Manjrekar’s BCCI hibernation started from an ODI series against South Africa in 2020 when the Proteas had come to India for a three-match ODI series which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

It was largely thought that Manjrekar was excluded from the commentators list because of alleged differences with a senior board official and for a long time he was not seen on Star Sports, BCCI’s official broadcaster.

The comeback has been gradual rather than sudden. He was seen during last year’s IPL auction on Star although not during the league itself. He was recently part of the commentary panel for the Asia Cup, which again was on Star. Before that he had wielded the mic for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand last year. The ICC event was also on Star.