Lack of funds puts India-Bangladesh Test in a spot

Lack of funds puts India-Bangladesh Test in a spot

The beleaguered Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a new problem with the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) stating its inability to host the India-Bangladesh Test citing lack of funds, according to a report in The Hindu.

Following the limited-overs series against England, that concludes on February 1, India are set to take on Bangladesh in a one-off Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad from February 8. With the HCA now indicating that it may not be able to play host the five-day game, BCCI has been put in a dicey position.

The Supreme Court, in October, had ordered the Indian cricket board to halt all fundings to its state associations until the latter adopted the Lodha panel recommendations in toto. The apex court later allowed the disbursal of funds for the smooth functioning of the India-England series.

With the Lodha committee implementing administrative reforms in the functioning of the BCCI, including the recent removal of several office bearers, there is plenty of confusion surrounding the Indian cricket board.

The Supreme Court, which removed BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke on January 2 owing to the Indian cricket board's reluctance and inability to implement the recommendations made by the Lodha panel, stated that a committee of administrators will be appointed on January 19 to oversee the business operations of the BCCI. Rahul Johri, the BCCI CEO, who is currently in charge of daily operations, is likely to approach the Lodha committee to put forth HCA's current predicament.

Meanwhile, The Hindu also reported that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has informed the BCCI that it would not be able to host two four-day matches between India and England's Under-19 teams in February. The four-day games were scheduled for February 13-16 and February 21-24 in Chennai but TNCA has expressed its inability to host the games due to "domestic programs" scheduled during that period.

"At the outset we thank you for allotting the India-England Under 19 matches to Chennai between 13th and 16th February and 21st to 24th February 2017. However, we regret to inform you that we are unable to host the matches at Chennai due to various domestic programs scheduled during the period," stated a letter from TNCA to the BCCI.