‘No decision on CLT20 yet’

May 26, 2015 12:57 am | Updated 12:57 am IST - KOLKATA:

Anurag Thakur.

Anurag Thakur.

There has been no decision to scrap the Champions League T20, or to replace it with another version yet, clarified the BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur, here on Monday.

Interacting with a group of select mediapersons after the IPL Governing Council meeting here, he said: “This is mere speculation (that the tournament has been scrapped). We still have the CLT20. We’ll have a meeting on how to make it a better tournament or replace it with another version. We have just finished a successful IPL, and we’ll now start thinking about it,” he said.

While agreeing that the CLT20 could attract crowds neither in India nor abroad, the Board secretary said it was wrong to say that the broadcasters were not in favour of continuing with the tournament.

“You will get sponsors only if you have a successful tournament. There will be no takers otherwise. For me, that one month window has to be used properly in the interests of cricket and the Board,” he said.

Thakur declared IPL-8 a huge success, saying it was conducted without any controversy under the chairmanship of Rajeev Shukla. The ‘fan park’ concept was also a big hit, he said, and added that many young talents had came to the fore during the tournament catching the eye of the selectors.

Shukla said the IPL matches were telecast in 182 countries around the world by top broadcasters. “This edition of the IPL was a huge success overseas, thus making it second most-watched sporting event after the FIFA World Cup,” he said.

He said the Board’s preventive measures against corruption had been effective despite challenges. “Excepting for one player reporting an approach to the Anti Corruption Unit, this edition was largely free of controversy. The Board policy to educate the cricketers has done wonders,” he observed.

Thakur said the contract system for international women cricketers would help the sport grow.

“It was also proposed to provide more international exposure to the women’s cricket team. The addition of two more tournaments — under-16 and under-23 — would help the game a lot,” he said. “The present under-19 tournament and the tournaments for seniors would remain unchanged,” he added.

Domestic T20 before IPL auctions

Thakur also said the all-India Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament would be advanced so that it could be held before the next IPL auctions. This, he said, would allow the domestic players to showcase their talents.

“With the T20 World Cup coming to India next year, the domestic calendar for the next season will be tweaked to suit our needs,” he said.

The Board secretary also informed no decision had been taken on who would be coach and on the composition of support staff to accompany the Indian team on the tour of Bangladesh.

PTI adds

Amidst speculation that Sourav Ganguly was being considered for the post of chairman of the advisory panel, high-performance manager, team director or chief coach of the team, Thakur said the Board was yet to take a decision on the matter.

“Sourav’s contribution to Indian cricket has been great. He’s been a great cricketer. It will be worth waiting for, and whatever will be decided will be in the interests of the Indian cricket.

“There’s a lot of speculation in the media regarding Sourav in the role of coach. Give us some time to decide on that,” Thakur said.

“Today, I’m here and will meet the (Board) president (Jagmohan Dalmiya), so we will make the announcement soon. We will take certain decisions as far as the series in Bangladesh is concerned after the meeting with Dalmiya,” Thakur said.

On the resumption of bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan, Thakur said things were yet to be sorted out and a series would be on only after mutual agreement.

“The PCB chief has met me and Mr. Dalmiya also. He has raised certain issues. There are many things that need to be looked into.”

Asked about reports of Sachin Tendulkar being inducted to the advisory committee, he said: “We’re talking to many cricketers for the advisory board. We’re waiting for the go-ahead.”

About whether 4 p.m. matches in the IPL would be done away with, Shukla said no decision had been taken yet. — PTI

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