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Pawar wants Vengsarkar to continue

Principal Correspondent

Board could agree on a compensation package to all selectors
Everyone in the Board expected to follow some guidelines

NEW DELHI: The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharad Pawar, on Tuesday wielded the whip to calm the warring Board officials and Chairman of the Selection Committee Dilip Vengsarkar.

Though there was no clear assurance from Mr. Pawar, the Board President was categorical that he wanted Vengsarkar to continue in his post. “It is a non issue that members of the selection committee were being barred from writing newspaper columns as the guidelines were in place for a long time,” Mr. Pawar told mediapersons at his office at a hurriedly convened briefing on Tuesday.

He, however, said that the Board could agree on a compensation package to all the selectors since they were giving a lot of time for cricket.

Key agenda

Compensation for selectors would be the key agenda of the BCCI Working Committee, which will meet in Mumbai on December 16, Mr. Pawar said.

Mr. Pawar, however, said that Indian laws would not allow the BCCI to pay the selectors for their services as most of them were already office-bearers of their respective state associations.

“But some compensation package could be worked out,” the Board Chief said.

Asked about the seven-point guidelines issued to the selectors, Mr. Pawar said these guidelines were in place since 2004. He added that everyone in the Board was expected to follow some guidelines. He did not go deeper into the issue saying that these were minor matters that could be discussed in future.

Clearly upset with the manner in which the two parties were discussing their stand through the media, Mr. Pawar said he did receive an email message from Mr. Vengsarkar followed by a text message in which Vengsarkar had stated that he was thinking of quitting the post.

“I called him up immediately and told him that the issue can be discussed. It is up to him to take the call,” said Mr. Pawar adding that he had not received any resignation letter from Vengsarkar.

“I hope he attends the selection committee meeting in Bangalore on Wednesday,” Mr. Pawar said while praising Vengsarkar and his colleagues for having done an extremely good job so far.

“We (Indian team) have done well against every team except Australia since this selection panel took over. The major credit goes to the players, but the selectors also are part of the process.”

The money angle

Mr. Pawar said that the claim made by Vengsarkar that he gets paid Rs.40,000 per column and his total yearly income from writings would be Rs. 40 lakh, if true, was not an amount that could just be neglected.

“We would not like to take away that kind of income from him, but also it would be difficult to match such an amount as a compensation,” Mr. Pawar said adding he has high regard for Vengsarkar and his commitment to the game was above all.

Referring to India’s good performance against Pakistan, Mr. Pawar said that the selectors should now focus on picking the right combination to tour Australia. “Australians are tough competitors and I am sure the priority of the selection committee would be to meet on Wednesday and pick the best team.”

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