COO Sundar Raman’s exit is straw in the wind
Indian Premier league chief operating officer Sundar Raman's resignation and its prompt acceptance by the Board of Control for Cricket in India are ample demonstrations that winds of change have begun to blow strongly in the BCCI with Mr Shashank Manohar taking charge. Mr Raman may have received a dignified exit, with certain BCCI officials hailing him for his ‘competence' and ‘positive contribution' to the money-making tournament, but the fact is that the sword had been hanging over his head for some time now. Questions had been raised on his culpability in the spot-fixing and betting scandals that rocked the tournament, singed at least two major teams, and robbed the BCCI of a good deal of its credibility. The Justice Mukul Mudgal panel, which had initially gone into the scandal, had recommended that Mr Raman's role should be probed. It observed that he had contacted a bookie on eight occasions. He was also aware of the involvement of a couple of team owners and others in betting but chose to look the other way. Even after the Supreme Court directed an inquiry into the accusations, Mr Raman had stayed put. Mr Manohar's arrival at the helm of the board changed the dynamics, and the COO was bluntly told to leave the soonest, failing which he would be ousted. Mr Raman will have ample opportunities to prove his innocence, and he could begin by being candid when he deposes before the Justice RM lodha Committee. He can, of course, take credit for having played a major role in making the IPl the success that it has become, having been associated with the initiative since its inception. Equally, he should also be willing to take his part of the blame for the disrepute the league fell into — assuming, of course, that he floundered along with a few others including former BCCI chief N Srinivasan. His exit clears the path for further changes the Manohar-led BCCI has up its sleeve. The momentum that has been built over the past weeks must not be lost. Indeed, it can only be accelerated given that the lodha panel will soon present more of its findings and recommendations.
Given these developments, all eyes are now on the November 9 annual general meeting of the BCCI, where Mr Manohar's supremacy is expected to be formally endorsed. But more than that, attention will be on the fresh measures that may be unveiled thereafter in view of the recommendations that have been made on a slew of matters, including the review of a contract which mandates the BCCI to hire a select group of commentators for BCCI-organised matches, thereby putting others at a disadvantage. The conflict-of-interest issue too is expected to be discussed threadbare and a roadmap prepared to settle the matter once and for all. If the board can resolve just this one matter, it will have achieved a great deal. There are influential people who will need to do a lot of answering here, and they must be made accountable.