Published: Oct 04, 2016, 08:23 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 04, 2016, 08:29 AM (IST)
India maybe joyous on achieving the No. 1 spot in Tests, but never knew that it might be short-lived once again. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were lashed out by the Lodha recommendations and due to the crunch of the situation, India and New Zealand series might be cancelled. India are yet to be play a Test and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs). India have been at the top with their performance be it at Kanpur or Kolkata. However, on Monday, the Lodha Panel supported by Supreme Court has “directed” banks, where BCCI holds accounts, not to disburse any funds for the financial decisions taken by the Board at its Special General Meeting on September 30. This decision was taken as Lodha Panel were fuming at the defiance of its recommendations. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Speaking to The Indian Express, the senior board official mentioned, “We have no option other than to call off the India-New Zealand series as our banks have decided to freeze BCCI accounts. We don’t want India to be humiliated in front of the world. How can we function, how can we hold any games now? Who will make the payment? Freezing a bank account is no joke. An international team is here, and there is so much at stake.” On Monday, the board issued letter to all the banks that BCCI were dealing with, to not to provide access to funds.
The letter mentioned, “It has come to the notice of this Committee that certain decisions have been taken at the ‘Emergent Working Committee’ meeting of the BCCI on 30th September 2016 to disburse large funds to the various member associations.” In further stated, “As the status report is to be taken up for directions by the Hon’ble Court on Thursday, 6.10.2016, you are hereby directed not to take any steps towards financial disbursement of the amounts as resolved/approved after the direction dated 31.8.2016. Any violation of this direction will be placed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for appropriate directions.” ALSO READ: Lodha Committee asks banks to stop BCCI’s disbursements
BCCI also mentioned that India might have to pull out of Champions Trophy as well in 2017. As per the Lodha recommendations, there has to be 15-day gap between IPL and domestic matches. Considering the Champions Trophy will be held from June 1-18 and IPL concluding on May end, the chances look bleak at the moment.
