Published: Apr 30, 2017, 01:41 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 30, 2017, 01:41 PM (IST)
New Delhi: Amid the continuing suspense on whether India will take part in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Committee of Administrators‘ (CoA) member Ramachandra Guha on Sunday said the country “absolutely must” compete in the event. India’s participation in the eight-team tournament in England, starting June 1, is a subject of speculation after the BCCI was out-voted in the ICC over its opposition to a revamped revenue and governance structure. The Indian board is miffed with the massive cut in its earnings from the ICC revenues after the world body opted to end the ‘Big Three’ domination in its governance and revenue sharing. ICC CT 2017: CoA’s Vinod Rai optimistic regarding India’s participation
“Boycotting or threatening to boycott a prestigious international tournament does not become a great cricketing nation,” Guha tweeted. “Speaking in my personal capacity, as a cricket fan, I believe the Indian cricket team absolutely must take part in the Champions Trophy,” he added. The BCCI is expected to take a call on this matter in a Special General Meeting on May 7. Earlier, Vinod Rai, head of Committee of Administrators (COA), on Friday said India‘s Champions Trophy participation will be known only after the BCCI SGM on May 7 and they are ready for all “possible scenarios”. The squad for the Champions Trophy has not yet been selected with BCCI already skipping the ICC deadline of April 25 but Rai didn’t want to read too much into it.
“There is no such thing as a deadline. The Champions Trophy will start on June 1. The deadlines are fixed so that there is some kind of system in place,” Rai told reporters on the sidelines of a book launch.
