INTERVIEW: Thakur believes BCCI have learnt from Lodha findings

Barnaby Read 15:21 21/03/2016
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  • DHARAMSALA, India — As HPCA officials finally took in a thrilling encounter between New Zealand and Australia, one man was conspicuous in his absence.

    Due to his role as secretary of the BCCI, HPCA president Anurag Thakur was not in Dharamsala to watch the Kiwis’ win.

    Instead he was in Kolkata to watch the following night’s showdown between India and Pakistan, one he had taken on politicians to host as planned in his home state.

    Anurag was expected to be present but in his place stood brother Arun, who also holds the vice-president role at the HPCA and sits on the BCCI’s finance committee.

    Arun’s pride in his “dynamic” brother’s achievements is evident and is echoed by everyone associated with the state’s cricket association.

    After all, Anurag oversaw the creation of Dharamsala’s stunning sporting arena and has openly fought the politicians who run every minute operation in India.

    He eventually lost on this occasion but not one person aims any of their anger at Anurag’s failure to convince the powers that be that Himachal should have hosted that iconic fixture.

    “The vision of Anurag Ji is for our region’s sportsmen to represent their country and it is down to his efforts by creating an amazing infrastructure for cricket across the state,” enthuses Arun, after watching the dust settle on a cracking game of cricket.

    That infrastructure began in earnest with the building of the stadium in 2002 and was felt throughout the small North Indian state with the creation of more hotels and improved sporting facilities capable of hosting international teams.

    A prime example of this investment is the creation of the pavilion at the back of the ground that hosts 70 people, enough for two teams and their support staff.

    They thought it had created an environment fit for the biggest matches in the world, but the politicians unfortunately said otherwise.

    For Arun, his focus is now on ensuring that such a loss is not felt again.

    “We were very excited for that match and it was very sad that such petty politics interfered. We had people coming from the US, Canada, Dubai, England to come and watch that game in the stadium,” he tells Sport360.

    “We are trying to mobilise the people and people are really speaking loudly that they want this game and that it should happen. I think the message has gone loud and clear, not only from our association but the local community, the people in Dharamsala and across the state.”

    Away from Dharamsala, there were very real concerns in the hallways of the BCCI and ICC as India took to the field against Pakistan.

    A loss would have meant two defeats from two matches and the hosts staring down the barrel of an embarrassing early exit.

    For Arun and his finance committee members, it was a huge concern that India’s participation was in doubt due to the huge profitability of their success in terms of TV revenue and gate receipts.

    “The major revenue is coming from broadcast media and if India is out of the tournament early it definitely would impact the revenues,” says Arun, who was also thankful for India’s win. “All the people associated with the game would feel disheartened.”

    Indeed, everyone involved with Indian cricket would have been dismayed by such a calamitous early exit that would have also left their wallets a little lighter.

    And under the new auspices of a more transparent BCCI, explaining such a situation would have made interesting viewing.

    This BCCI, after the widespread condemnation of corruption throughout the game in India by the Lodha Committee, is meant to be more visible and accountable.

    In those findings the top brass at the BCCI, including Anurag, were highlighted as having conflicting interests that concerned the committee.

    Anurag’s name was mentioned due to his role at the HPCA, while other members had interests in the IPL as owners or investors of franchises.

    It was not a promising start that these concerns were largely glossed over but Arun believes there has been a marked difference in the BCCI’s operation in the ensuing months.

    “When the Lodha Committee started its work there was a different atmosphere around the BCCI and different leaders calling the shots in the BCCI at the time,” he explains. “But as you would have observed over the last six to eight months, the changing of the guard sees a totally transformed BCCI – it is very transparent.

    “As cricket lovers and people wanting good for the game, we ourselves want the BCCI to be more transparent and now we are making sure things are taken in the right direction. Whatever recommendations have come, if they are in the best interests of the game then they will be followed.

    “You will not find anything about fixing, why a venue has been chosen over another. There have been no allegations now as was the case previously. With regard to finances, there is far more transparency and it is the same for selections and with more media engagement. You are ready to face them more as you have nothing to hide.”

    Arun’s passion and belief in the BCCI changing for the better is genuine but it is hard to pick out any tangible evidence of improvement, other than the fact those people who failed Indian cricket have now been shooed out of power.

    What is certain is that if you were to believe everyone associated with the HPCA – and you have no reason not to – then the Thakurs are the men ready to lead a bold new BCCI.

    First, however, they must truly deliver a lasting imprint on the organisation that alters the perception that its men in power are only concerned with lining their own pockets.

    That is no easy task.

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