Pioneer In Short
Boardroom battle spills into Tata Trust
A widening dispute within the Tata group has reached the regulator, with Tata Sons nominee director and trustee Venu Srinivasan seeking an inquiry into the governance of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), a key shareholder in Tata Sons. In a letter to Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner, Srinivasan has questioned Noel N. Tata’s status as a perpetual trustee, the appointment of Noel Tata’s son Neville Tata, and what he alleges are efforts to curb his independence as a Tata Sons nominee director. The complaint follows a September 16 SDTT circular resolution that Srinivasan says sought to prevent him from participating in or voting on Tata Sons’ proposed listing.
At a Tata Sons board meeting the following day, he backed Chairman N. Chandrasekaran’s reappointment and proceeding with the listing, while Noel Tata opposed both. The resolutions passed, with Chandrasekaran’s reappointment requiring a casting vote. Tata Trusts later disputed the validity of the decisions. Srinivasan has also alleged that SDTT and Tata Trusts have become too involved in Tata Sons’ commercial affairs, potentially conflicting with their charitable obligations and exposing the trust to tax consequences. He has sought an inquiry into SDTT’s administration and composition, including trustee appointments, and directions limiting Noel Tata’s participation in certain Tata Sons-related decisions.
India storm past WI in ODI
India sealed the ODI series against the West Indies with a record eight-wicket win on Wednesday, chasing 406 with 39 balls to spare after centuries from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Gill smashed an unbeaten 223, the fastest double-century in 50-over cricket, reaching his 200 off 117 balls. Rohit struck 101, his 35th ODI century, as the pair added 255 for the opening wicket in 26.2 overs. India finished on 406 for two in 43.3 overs, their highest successful ODI chase. Gill’s 11th ODI hundred came off 62 balls, while Rohit crossed 12,000 ODI runs, becoming the seventh batter and third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to reach the landmark. Earlier, West Indies posted 405 for seven, with John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104) and Amir Jangoo (114) scoring centuries.
It was the first time the West Indies had three centurions in an ODI and their highest total in the format. India’s inexperienced pace attack struggled on a flat Barsapara pitch, with Auqib Nabi conceding 84 in 8.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets to enter the 200-wicket ODI club, while Ravindra Jadeja also claimed two.
