Kolkata: Mohinder Amarnath, the all-rounder from India’s 1983 World Cup winning team has declined an offer of joining a player’s panel which is a big setback to the formation of an independent player’s association as suggested by the Lodha Committee’s report.
The Committee of Administrators was thus informed by Amarnath that he wouldn’t be able to be a part of the panel.
A source said, “He (Amarnath) has sent an email to the CoA that he will not be able to fulfill his duties as he has taken up a commentary assignment.”
When asked about the decision, Amarnath refused to speak too much on the same and instead said, “I don’t think I need to give out the details. It is better you ask them (CoA) about it.”
In 2012, a reported fall-out with the BCCI over the axing of MS Dhoni as skipper after the disastrous tours of England and Australia led the Indian legend to be dropped as a national selector.
On the 14th of July, the Committee of Administrators would approach the Supreme Court for the reconstruction of the panel, which as of now only consists of former union home secretary GK Pillai.
Anil Kumble and Diana Edulji were the other suggested members for the panel. While, Kumble had opted out of the same when he took over as the coach of the Indian team last year, Diana Edulji is a member of the CoA.
The Lodha Committee had in it’s report suggested that the body should be an, ‘association’ focusing on more involvements of players rather than a, ‘union’.
Pillai said that the work would begin as soon as the Supreme Court reconstructs the committee. “We can start the work only after the Supreme Court reconstitutes the committee. Once that is done, the members will meet up and begin with the process. The task would be completed within a couple of months,” he said.
The Lodha Committee’s report says, “it shall be the task of the steering committee to identify and invite all eligible ex-cricketers to be members of the association, to open bank accounts, receive funds from the BCCI, conduct the first elections for office-bearers, communicate the names of BCCI player nominees to the Board and take all necessary steps in this regard.”
A three-member panel has been formed by the CoA for the formulation of contracts and registration guidelines for player agents. According to sources, the CoA has decided to add two members of the players’ association in this committee.
But as the players’ association is non-existent as of now and would only have a proper shape and framework after the Supreme Court reconstructs it, the members of the committee- BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, Abhay Apte (Maharashtra association chief), Avishek Dalmiya (National Cricket Club president) have been entrusted with the duty of framing a structure keeping the Lodha reforms in mind.