Mumbai, Aug 15: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body for Indian cricket, announced a new caste-based selection policy for the Indian national cricket team today. This was revealed in a press conference called by the secretary of the BCCI, Mr. Niranjan Shah.

“Reservation of seats in the Indian cricket team is a proposal that the BCCI has been considering for several years,” Shah asserted while addressing the packed press room of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. “We studied the great success of South Africa’s racially discriminating selection policy. We have therefore decided to introduce a similar measure for the upliftment of minority and backward communities in India as well. Hereafter, every 15-man Indian squad should include at least seven players from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, or other backward classes. We fully stand behind the policy of reverse-discrimination.” This statement was followed by uproar from a group of student journalists. Mr. Shah did not field any questions and left the conference hurriedly as a few sharp implements threatened to hinder his well-being.

When contacted on the way to Parliament, the President of the BCCI Mr. Sharad Pawar told reporters that he had not been aware of such a development. After being informed that an announcement had been made by Mr. Shah the previous evening, Mr. Pawar said, “I have full confidence in our secretary and I am sure that any policy decision announced by him would have been thoroughly discussed amongst the highest office-bearers of (the) BCCI.” The BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer Professor Ratnakar Shetty held that the quickest way to make money and settle down in India is by playing cricket. “When we allow reservations in higher education, why should cricket be exempt?” he added.

Political reactions to the new move made by the BCCI were mixed and generally split along party lines. “Let the people know the truth. This is yet another move made by the Congress in order to drive attention away from me. They are not willing to see a Dalit Prime Minister,” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati alleged. Meanwhile, former BJP leader Uma Bharti was caught trying to film a tape which showed BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah accepting money in order to pass this resolution. Jharkhand leader Shibu Soren released a statement announcing that he is willing to support the new reservation provided he is offered the post of President of the Bihar and Jharkhand Cricket Association.

Harbhajan Singh wore a forlorn look and refused to explain the bruises on his left hand.

There was a wide range of responses when current members of the Indian squad were apprised of the recent developments. Indian pace bowler Sreeshanth left the room and was found weeping in the bathroom two hours later. Harbhajan Singh returned to the team hotel late in the evening but refused to explain the bruises on his left hand.

Meanwhile, a new statement released by BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi from his high-security home clarified that the franchises of the Indian Premier League and all state cricket associations would have to follow a similar procedure while selecting their teams. “Those who do not adhere to our guidelines will lose their BCCI membership,” said Modi in a strongly worded press release. “We will issue a life ban on all players who participate in any domestic league which does not honor this directive,” he added. When asked about what the BCCI would do if the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to approve the directive, Modi said that they would then consider all options including pulling out of the ICC and forming a new international cricket body. Modi also revealed that a committee had been set up to look into why the Jagmohan Dalmiya-led Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had selected a squad with only 4 players from backward communities, though this was done a week before the press release. Mr. Dalmiya has been stripped of his post and the CAB is in danger of being dissolved.

Reaction amongst the rest of the cricketing world was generally positive. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) welcomed the BCCI’s policy decision. “We are fully supportive of India’s decision to give equal opportunity to her backward classes,” said a Cricket Australia spokesperson from Melbourne. When contacted, a representative of the ICC said that they had not received any communication from the BCCI regarding this matter, and declined to comment.

Former cricketers were more critical. Cricketer-turned commentator Navjot Sidhu argued, “All cricketers are created equal. But now the BCCI is saying that some are more equal than others! This is the kind of nonsense that happens when the same administration is in control of the BCCI for more than two years. The BCCI officials should be changed as often as baby nappies and for the same reason!”

Members of India’s selection panel were unavailable for comment as a result of a gag order issued by the BCCI.

Photo Courtesy: yfechennai, wikimedia

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