Former India cricketer Ajay Ratra appointed as member of BCCI men’s selection committee.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The BCCI on Tuesday (September 3, 2024) appointed former India wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra as a selector of the men’s cricket team, replacing Salil Ankola in the five-man panel.

As per convention, all five selectors represent different zones and Ratra will represent the North Zone in the committee headed by Ajit Agarkar.

After Agarkar was appointed chief selector last year, the selection panel ended up having two selectors from West Zone with Ankola already a part of the committee.

“The Cricket Advisory Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named Mr Ajay Ratra as the newest member of the Men’s Selection Committee headed by Mr Ajit Agarkar. Mr Ratra will replace Mr Salil Ankola in the Committee,” read a BCCI statement.

The development comes ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh beginning on September 19. Ratra, however, will be on the job from Thursday (September 5, 2024) when the Duleep Trophy begins.

“It is a huge honour and a challenge. I look forward to contributing to Indian cricket,” Ratra told PTI shortly after the announcement.

The BCCI had invited applications for the post of selector back in January and the four shortlisted candidates including Ratra, Retinder Singh Sodhi, Ajay Mehra and Shakti Singh were interviewed by the Ashok Malhotra-led Cricket Advisory Committee in June.

The selection panel did not have a representation from the North Zone following the unceremonious exit of Chetan Sharma in February 2023.

Ratra was also a member of the support staff that travelled with India A women’s team to Australia last month. The 42-year-old is also a Level 3 coach and has coached Assam, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket.

He has also worked extensively at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and was part of the Indian team’s coaching staff during the ODI series in South Africa last year.

All the six Tests and 12 ODIs he played for India came in 2002. The highlight of his brief international career was the 115 not out he made against the West Indies in a Test played in Antigua.

“Among all the people interviewed for the job, he was the most deserving candidate,” said a BCCI source.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Chennai Judicial Member Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma on July 29 recused himself from hearing an appeal by Byju Raveendran against the insolvency proceedings ordered against Think & Learn Private Limited, which runs Byju’s, citing that he has appeared for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as senior counsel in number of cases.

He directed for the matter to be placed before NCLAT chairperson for nomination of appropriate Bench for hearing the case.

Also read: Byju’s woes: A timeline of the Indian edutech giant’s troubles at home and abroad

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Bengaluru, had ordered insolvency proceedings against Think & Learn Private Limited. The development came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed a petition claiming a default of ₹159 crore.

The NCLT had appointed Pankaj Srivastava as an interim resolution professional, who will oversee the management of Byju’s and power of board of directors was suspended for now.

Byju Raveendran, suspended director, promoter, & shareholder of Think & Learn Private Limited had moved NCLAT against the insolvency proceedings order. At the hearing on July 29, Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma said he is not proposing to take up the matter, as he has been appearing as senior counsel for BCCI. “So, I can’t hear the matter,” he said.

“I will not venture into this. I have been regular counsel for the BCCI in a number of cases”, Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma said and directed the case to be placed before NCLAT Chairperson for nomination of an appropriate Bench.

Bengaluru/New Delhi:

Edtech company Byju’s, which was once India’s most valuable start-up worth an estimated USD 22 billion, will face insolvency proceedings for failure to pay Rs 158.9 crore to cricket board BCCI.

The Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday allowed bankruptcy proceedings against the firm and appointed an interim resolution professional, suspending the company’s board of directors and freezing its assets.

Founder and CEO Byju Raveendran will report to the resolution professional. NCLT has appointed Pankaj Srivastava as the interim resolution professional.

Byju’s had previously sponsored the Indian cricket team.

While Byju’s said it is hopeful of reaching “an amicable settlement” with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Press Trust of India reported quoting its sources that the company plans to challenge the order before the appellate tribunal, NCLAT.

When contacted, a Byju’s spokesperson said: “As we have always maintained, we wish to reach an amicable settlement with BCCI and we are confident that, despite this order, a settlement can be reached. In the meantime, our lawyers are reviewing the order and will take necessary steps to protect the company’s interests.” Byju’s was once valued at USD 22 billion but the reopening of schools after the easing of pandemic restrictions led to its unravelling. BlackRock recently slashed its valuation of USD 1 billion.

The company’s troubles began when it missed financial reporting deadlines two years ago and fell short of revenue projections by more than 50 per cent.

In February, a group of investors in Byju’s parent company Think & Lean (T&L), including Prosus and Peak XV, voted to remove Raveendran as CEO during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), citing allegations of “mismanagement and failures”. Raveendran has denied allegations and disputed the vote’s validity.

The investors and founders are separately engaged in a legal battle.

Founders have been battling investors in recent months even as the company saw job cuts and shrinking business.

NCLT invited creditors, employees and vendors to file claims against Byju’s.

BCCI and Byju’s entered into a ‘Team Sponsor Agreement’ on July 25, 2019. According to this agreement, Byju’s got the exclusive right to display its trademark/brand name on the kit of the Indian cricket team, place advertisements during the telecast of cricket series, and hospitality and non-hospitality tickets for every ticketed match organised by BCCI, according to the NCLT order.

“As consideration, the Corporate Debtor (Byju’s) was required to pay a fee to the Operational Creditor (BCCI),” it said. “The Corporate Debtor was the Sponsor of the Indian cricket team as per the above arrangements and availed the Services for a period up until March 31, 2023.” After March 31, 2022, Byju’s made payment in full only against one invoice for the India-South Africa cricket series held in June 2022 amounting to Rs 25.35 crore but failed to pay for subsequent invoices.

A bank guarantee of Rs 143 crore was encashed but that was not sufficient to cover the entire amount, it said adding the sponsorship fee for series/tours including that of South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, Asia Cup and ICC T20 between August 2022 to January 2023 amounting to Rs 158.9 crore remain unpaid.

“It cannot be disputed that the Corporate Debtor has availed the services of Operational Creditor,” the NCLT order said.

“Corporate Debtor had never disputed the fact that it was required to pay the agreed Fee as per the arrangement between the parties. However, despite having acknowledged the dues, the Corporate Debtor has failed to pay and instead, the Corporate Debtor repeatedly kept requesting the Operational Creditor for an extension of time for payment.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Photo used for representation purpose only.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board wants the BCCI to provide written proof of the Indian government’s denial of permission in case the team refuses to come here for next year’s Champions Trophy citing a travel ban on security grounds, a PCB source has said.

The host Board also wants the matter to be sorted as soon as possible, given that the tournament is scheduled in February-March.

While the ICC annual conference will be held in Colombo on July 19 doesn’t have any discussion on ‘Hybrid Model’ about India playing their games in the UAE on its agenda, the global body as usual has earmarked additional fund in case it becomes a two-country tournament.

“If the India government declines permission, it has to be in writing and it is mandatory on the BCCI to provide that letter to the ICC now,” the PCB source working closely with organizing committee told PTI.

“It is a fact that the we are insistent that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months before the tournament and in writing,” the top PCB source also stated.

The BCCI has always steadfastly maintained that playing cricket in Pakistan is completely a government call and even the 2023 ODI Asia Cup, which was hosted by PCB witnessed India playing all its games in Sri Lanka based on ‘Hybrid Model’.

The PCB has already submitted its draft schedule to ICC where all of India’s games including a possible semi-final and final has been scheduled in Lahore. The India vs Pakistan marquee match has been scheduled on March 1.

The tournament will start in Karachi on February 19 and conclude with the final in Lahore on March 9. The final will have a reserve day — March 10 — in case of inclement weather. A few matches will be held in Rawalpindi too.

If BCCI sources are to be believed, at this point there is no chance of travelling to Pakistan and knowing fully well, the ICC has allocated additional budget for any exigency plan.

“The ICC Management is recommending additional costs just in case it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan if such a situation arises later on,” the source confirmed.

The logo of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. File
| Photo Credit: AFP

The BCCI on July 14 decided to release Rs one crore for the treatment of former India coach Anshuman Gaikwad, who is battling blood cancer at a medical facility in London.

The BCCI’s decision has come following appeals for support from former captain Kapil Dev and Sandip Patil, who had urged the cricket board to help Gaikwad.

“Mr. Jay Shah has instructed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release ₹1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Mr. Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer,” BCCI apex council said in a statement.

Gaekwad, son of former India captain D.K. Gaekwad, is undergoing treatment for blood cancer at the King’s College Hospital in London.

“Mr. Shah has also spoken to Mr Gaekwad’s family to take stock of the situation and extend support. The board stands by Mr. Gaekwad’s family in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is essential for Mr. Gaekwad’s quick recovery,” the statement continued.

“The BCCI will continue to monitor Mr Gaekwad’s progress and is confident that he will come out of this phase strongly,” it added.

The 71-year-old Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987.

Rahul Dravid with captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli pose for a picture after Team India wins the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 defeating South Africa in the finals.
| Photo Credit: ANI

As Rahul Dravid bids farewell to Team India, the legend said that during his tenure as head coach, he abhorred chopping and changing the side too much and always tried to be a foil for skipper Rohit Sharma so that he could devise his own winning strategies.

Dravid’s coaching stint came to an end with India winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados last week, defeating South Africa and bringing home the trophy for the second time after 2007.

“I’m someone who actually likes continuity and don’t like to chop and change too many things because I believe that creates a lot of instability and doesn’t create very good environment,” said Dravid in a video posted by BCCI on July 6.

“I feel that I am a part of the team whose responsibility is to create the right professional, safe, secure environment that doesn’t really have a fear of failure as such but is challenging enough to push people. That has always been my endeavour.” Dravid said that the period when the players were coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic was a tough one for him as he had just taken over as coach and “never envisaged” that he would have to work with half a dozen captains.

“One of the things that we really had to manage, especially in the early part of my coaching tenure here with India. We were at the back-end of the COVID restrictions. “We really had to manage their workloads through all the three different formats. There were a few injuries and it led to me working with something like 5-6 captains in the first 8-10 months of me being here.

“It was definitely something that I hadn’t envisaged, or not something that I thought about, but it just sort of organically happened.” Under Dravid’s tutelage, India thrashed England in the five-match Test series at home and the team also reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

While COVID put a lot of restrictions on players and they virtually lived out of a ‘bubble case’ at all times, the pandemic also had its up side as a lot of youngsters got a chance to be a part of the India team environment.

“The other thing that happened, which was very nice to see is, because we played so much of cricket after Covid and we had to cram in a lot of series, it meant that we had to almost, at times, have two teams playing at the same time in different parts of the world.

“Over the last 2-1/2 years, especially in white-ball cricket and lately towards the back-end (of my career) even in red-ball cricket, we were able to give a lot of youngsters a lot of opportunities, bring a lot of people into the side.” “Some of them developed and stayed on in the side a little bit longer, but some of them, they were there because at that point of time maybe some of the seniors were resting.” Dravid’s relationship with Indian stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dates back to the time when he was at the fag end of his cricketing career while the two were finding their feet in international cricket.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Rohit, someone I knew as a young boy. Just to see him grow as a person and grow as a leader in Indian cricket, what someone like him has been able to contribute to the team over the last 10-12 years, both as a player and now as a leader, has been a real tribute to him and the effort that he’s put in.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to him know as a person as well and enjoyed seeing his commitment and his care for the team; to just try and get the environment right where everyone feels safe and secure and enjoys themselves. It’s something that I’ll miss.

“Even with someone like Virat. In the initial days, just a couple of series with him as a captain, just a couple of matches. Getting to know him as well and to see how he goes about his business, the professionalism that he continues to display…his desired to improve, to get better. It’s been fascinating for me to watch.” Dravid said he always believed in the process because of which, at times, he was misunderstood as not being result-oriented.

“For me that’s (results), of course it’s important. I keep saying and people think, ‘Oh, I think result are not important’. Of course, results are important.

“I’m in the business to produce results. But it’s always like, as a coach, to think about what is it that I can control to help the results and at the end of the day our responsibility should be to try and help the captain deliver his vision and his philosophy of how he wants the team to play.” “Of course, to win cricket games is a given. You try to win as much as you can. You start with that. But I always look back on what is it that leads to the winning? How do you win more games and what is the process required to win more games? “For me, the vision was to try and get that process right. Ticking all of those boxes. ‘Are we challenging the players enough? Are we practicing well enough? are we prepared tactically, technically? Are we supporting the players as best as we possibly can, Are we creating the right environment? “These are the things I think that are important to tick before you get to the winning. The winning, hopefully, if you do a lot of these things, most of the time the winning will take care of itself.”

Massive crowd of fans during the Indian T20 cricket team’s World Cup 2024 victory parade, at Vijay Merchant Pavilion in Mumbai on Thursday, May 4, 2024.
| Photo Credit: ANI

At least 11 persons were rushed to hospitals for sustaining minor injuries or feeling dizzy after a massive crowd gathered along the route of the victory parade of the T-20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team in South Mumbai, an official said on Friday, July 5, 2024.

Also read: PM Modi hosts T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team

Nine were admitted to the state-run GT Hospital for suffering injuries or complaining of breathing difficulties due to excessive crowding. They are now in a stable condition, said the dean of JJ Group of Hospitals.

Officials said one fan was taken to the government-run St George’s Hospital near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and was allowed to go after primary care. Another person was taken to a private hospital in south Mumbai and discharged after treatment.

Thousands of fans thronged Marine Drive to witness the victory parade of the Indian cricket team on Thursday evening. This led to a stampede-like situation, an official said.

Police deployed a large number of personnel and made elaborate security arrangements between Marine Drive and Wankhede Stadium to avoid any untoward incident.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar appreciated his force for effectively managing the crowd during the victory parade.

“A special appreciation to all my officers & staff of @MumbaiPolice for the exceptional crowd management at Marine Drive today amid the rains,” Mr. Phansalkar wrote in his official X handle.

“We made sure it remains a special moment for our Champions & the fans. Also thank you Mumbaikars, for your cooperation. We made it happen together!,” he added in the post.

Indian contingent seen boarding a chartered flight to New Delhi after India won the T20 World Cup 2024, in Barbados, on July 03, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Air India cancelled a scheduled passenger flight from Newark to New Delhi on Tuesday to operate a chartered flight to bring back the stranded Indian cricket team from Barbados, sources said.

Emergency measure

Air India didn’t explain how the passengers were accommodated, but insisted that the charter flight was arranged as an ‘emergency measure’.

No information

The issue came to light after some passengers complained on X that they received no information on flight cancellation or alternative accommodation.

Meanwhile, aviation regulator DGCA has sought a report from the Air India on the issue.

The last tournament that Pakistan hosted was the Asia Cup in 2023, conducted in a ‘Hybrid Model’ with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka. File
| Photo Credit: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slotted its team’s marquee Champions Trophy match against arch-foes India in Lahore on March 1 next year but the BCCI is yet to give its consent to the tentative schedule, a senior ICC Board member told PTI on July 3.

The tournament is slated from February 19 to March 9 with March 10 as Reserve Day.

It is understood PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was invited to watch the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted a 15-match schedule with all of India’s games kept in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.

“The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,” an ICC Board member said.

“The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal, if the team qualifies) in Lahore,” the source added.

India have been clubbed with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A. Group B comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.

Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad after the world body’s security team inspected the venues and other arrangements.

The last tournament that Pakistan hosted was the Asia Cup in 2023, conducted in a ‘Hybrid Model’ with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to permit the players’ travel across the border.

“All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC,” the source added.

The ICC, on its part, can’t force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see when BCCI takes a final call on the matter.

File photo of Rahul Dravid.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

The Indian men’s cricket team is set to get a new head coach, with incumbent Rahul Dravid having informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision to step down at the end of India’s T20 World Cup campaign in June.

Dravid is understood to have informed the BCCI hierarchy about his decision to spend time with the family even before the IPL began in March. On Monday night, the BCCI officially invited applications for the head coach’s post with May 27 set as the deadline.

Last week, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, while stating that the applications for the head coach will be invited soon, had stressed Dravid “will have to re-apply” if he wants an extension. The statement came as a surprise to many in the know.

The Hindu understands that Dravid — who agreed for an extension after his contract expired at the end of the 2023 World Cup — had clarified well in advance about seeking no further extension due to personal reasons. In fact, a group of seniors in the team had requested him to consider being at the helm of the Test team at least for a year, but Dravid had made up his mind.

Had Dravid agreed, the BCCI may have considered having different coaches for limited-over and Test match set-ups. However, as stated by Shah last week, there will only be one head coach across formats and his appointment will be till the end of 2027.

Contrary to speculation and expectation, V.V.S. Laxman, the head at the National Cricket Academy, too is unlikely to enter the fray.

It may lead to the BCCI being forced to look for an overseas coach in consultation with the senior players. Feelers have been sent to a couple of IPL franchise head coaches, who have been a part of the T20 league for quite some time. So far, none of them have expressed willingness to apply for the post.