TNCA takes strong stance on Shashank Manohar's Big 3 criticism

In a surprising development, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has questioned BCCI President Shashank Manohar‘s views surrounding the Big 3 rearrangement. ESPNCricinfo reported the TNCA Secretary Kasi Viswanathan writing a controversial letter seeking an explanation from Manohar for his statements.

It is interesting to note that N Srinivasan is still the President of the TNCA and Viswanathan is known to be close to the Tamil Nadu strongman. He asked Manohar whether he had notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding his intention of decreasing BCCI’s share and influence from the cricket committee.

TNCA Secretary enquires

Viswanathan stated, “Is it true that you have made any statements in the ICC giving up BCCI's permanent membership in the ICC Committees? Have you made any commitments to the ICC on BCCI's share of contribution costs?

“If the answer to one or both of the above questions is in the affirmative, kindly let me know under what authority have you taken this decision when this matter has not been discussed in either the Working Committee meeting or the General Body meeting of BCCI held recently?”

Viswanathan also enquired if Manohar had informed his board members before openly coming out with views denouncing the previous administration’s philosophy.

It has been revealed that the letter in question was dispatched to several influential personalities such as BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, Joint Secretary Amitabh Choudhury, Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhury besides the five Vice-Presidents and all full members of the board.

Manohar’s stand on the Big 3

Earlier, Manohar had come down hard on the alleged ‘bullying’ of the BCCI, England & Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia with respect to the newly convened executive committee within the ICC.

The 58-year old had asserted, “I don't agree with the three major countries bullying the ICC. That's my personal view, because as I have always said, an institution is bigger than individuals. You cannot guarantee which individual will occupy the top position in either of these countries.”

The TNCA letter was discussed in BCCI’s special general body meeting and sources claimed that Manohar had the support of all ICC full members apart from ECB with respect to dissolving the Big 3 revamp.

An insider at the meeting divulged, “He said he never committed to asking for less money and that he hasn't given up on BCCI's rightful share. ‘In order to protect our interests, instead of giving up 21 percent, I said I will share something and make sure we get at least 16 to 17 percent. That's the deal I want to do’. He told me that.”

Notwithstanding the events in the background, Viswanathan was effusive in his praise for the previous administration in the BCCI. He even went to the extent of naming particular achievements of that regime namely a BCCI nominee being appointed the ICC Chairman, an enhanced say on the financial affairs of the sport and the ICC’s acknowledgement of India’s commercial contribution to cricket.

He wrote, “From the pre-existing measly 3.39% (USD 52.5 Million out of Gross income of USD 1.56 Billion), BCCI, Cricket Australia and ECB were recognized as the primary contributors and hence entitled to a major share of the revenue.

“Accordingly BCCI was to get 22.37% (USD 570.5 Million out of gross revenue of USD 2.5 Billion) from ICC which in monetary terms works out to approximately Rs. 3,822 Crores, the said amounts being receivable from the period commencing from 2015-23.”

It will be interesting to see what Manohar’s reply to these accusations would be and whether the Nagpur-based administrator maintains his stance on the entire situation.