Exclusive: ‘BCCI Is in the ICU,’ Says Anurag Thakur

BJP MP Anurag Thakur was handed the reigns of the world’s most powerful cricket board in May 2016, after previous president Shashank Manohar vacated the post to become chairman of the ICC.

The times were turbulent and just eight months later, Thakur found himself ousted from the board by the Supreme Court, for failing to implement reforms suggested by the court-appointed Lodha Committee.

One year has passed since Thakur lost all his BCCI designations; but back in the board, none of the reforms that led to his sacking have been put into motion.

In an exclusive interview with The Quint, Anurag Thakur talks about his ouster, the reforms that are yet to be implemented and his views on a comeback to the board in the future.

Since you were ejected from the BCCI, the board has lost a large share of its profits from the ICC, the contentious recommendations have still not been implemented. The court-appointed CoA has also seen two of its members leave the position. How do you see things as they stand currently in the BCCI?

The case against me was that I did not implement the Lodha Committee recommendations. The way forward for me was to go to the BCCI and present the recommendations. The members had to vote in favour of that. Members agreed to 90 percent of the recommendations, but we were ready to implement that. Ten percent recommendations were not practical in nature and can’t be implemented – not just in my tenure but in the 11 months since I left also they could not do it. I did the right thing, but I was removed. Yes, I was hurt badly. I didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. That is why I have not tried to come back. I thought that if I could not do it, someone else would be able to do it. But the envelope is still not open, the reforms are not implemented in toto. The BCCI has lost its reputation and revenue. What have we achieved? I think we have to ask, “Is this what the Lodha Committee Recommendations were required for?”

You were primarily sacked for not being able to implement some key Lodha Committee recommendations. Almost a year has passed, but the CoA – the committee made in-charge of making that happen – still has made no headway. How do you assess that?

People within the BCCI and outside now say the BCCI is in an ICU. There are two power centres and they are unable to take decisions. Why were the Selectors cut down from five to three? They have not been paid for the last year. They have left their jobs. They wanted to give full membership to Northeastern states, I am not against that but they must earn the place. I had suggested that all Northeastern states should be clubbed together and form one team. But if you want to compare Mumbai with Mizoram, it is not fair because Mumbai has been playing cricket for many years. So Mizoram will take some time to reach that level. Lodha Recommendations wanted a three-year “cooling off period”. I am a third-time MP, there was no cooling-off period. A High Court judge who comes to the SC doesn’t have a cooling-off period. Then why should there be one in the BCCI? There should be continuity in the organisation so there can be good leaders who can lead BCCI as well as the ICC.

Do you think you’ll be able to make a comeback into the BCCI? Would you want to?

If I wished to come back, I would have taken steps in that direction. I was away from the BCCI. I am a sports lover. I am not a seeker for a post. I always wish to contribute. When I was ousted from the BCCI, I wished everyone good luck. If they want me to come back, I can look at that but I want cricket to do well. I want the BCCI to be in the same position in the ICC that it had 11 months back. Not at the position where they are today. I can’t see India at that position.

Camera: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Editor: Vishal Kumar