Sharad Pawar has quit MCA and so should other power-hungry cricket officials

Shrewd politician and seasoned cricket administrator Sharad Pawar’s decision to quit as the Mumbai Cricket Association president may have come late, but is sure to set the ball rolling. It seems like ages the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) drama has been playing out in the Supreme Court.

The writing was on the wall and there was no escaping the age and tenure limit as well as the cooling off period, but none of the officials in the cricket administration of the country was willing to budge.

Finally, on Saturday, December 18, news broke that Sharad Pawar, the former International Cricket Council boss had quit the Mumbai body.

To be sure, he had no option, having crossed the age limit of 70. Yet, had Pawar quit earlier, it could have been seen as some kind of a right signal for other power hungry officials to follow in India.

The problem with those who run cricket at the state unit level as well as the bigger BCCI body is no one wants to give up power. Call it the "high" which people get by being in power or feeling important when they are seen at matches and cricket functions, cricket officials in the country are a greedy lot.

Cricketers have to retire one day and even umpires, but officials want to enjoy unending stints at the crease.

The way the Supreme Court has shown patience in dealing with the BCCI is commendable. At the same time, despite the stonewalling by the BCCI officials, the country's highest court has not budged. If anything, the Supreme Court has ensured there will be no escape route and eventually all will have to fall in line.

Those who may have gained strength with the dour stance taken by Sharad Pawar till Friday will now realise their time is up.

The list of people in power for years in a row is long. Most do not qualify to be in power because of the age limit. Former BCCI and ICC boss N Srinivasan must also be wondering what would be a good day to quit!

The last Test match in the India vs England series is being played in Chennai. For a city which is limping back to normalcy after being tormented by the devastating cyclone, Pawar's resignation is bound to jolt Srinivasan as he has to step aside. He has been heading the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association almost nonstop and at the age of 71, there is no escape route.

The way the BCCI has been stifled by the Justice RM Lodha panel recommendations, there is no option but to fall in line. Some of the prominent state associations like Rajasthan and Vidarbha and a few in the north east have embraced the suggestions given by the Lodha panel.

With BCCI president Anurag Thakur also in the dock and now facing perjury charges from the Supreme Court, it could not have become more ugly. The BCCI kept trying every trick it could but the stage has come where administrators will soon run the sport.

The Supreme Court has certain names in mind and has already made it public but they keep asking the BCCI if the name of these administrators is acceptable.

All this points to how it's only a matter of time. In the new year, cricket administration in the country will wear a fresh look. At the same time, one must not be surprised if only those state associations which have embraced the new constitution get to host Test matches when the Australians come next.

Virat Kohli has won the series against England and the team has already celebrated. Sadly for the officials, there is nothing to rejoice about. Many will slip into oblivion and perhaps never be heard of for a long time. No shedding tears for them!

Back to who can run the state cricket bodies, there is no guarantee that hiring former cricketers means a good job will be done.

Take the classic case of the Hyderabad Cricket Association which is supposed to hold elections this month. For a body which was run by former Test off spinner Shivlal Yadav and now Arshad Ayub, there is damning evidence of a Rs 4 crore financial fraud against the latter.

The anti-corruption bureau has charged Ayub and a few more officials with misusing public money. If cricketers can be part of such grave acts, then there is a greater need to ensure professionals are roped in to govern cricket .

There is huge money involved and for far too long callous men have been at the helm.

Hopefully in 2017, cricket administration in India will see a fresh spark as we have seen with Virat Kohli leading the Test campaign on the field.

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)

Also read: Kohli won't always save the day. BCCI must wake up