Big-time cricket beckons CCI

The Cricket Club of India (CCI) has become a sort of oxymoron. For the last 35 years it has been anything but a cricket club. Barring the odd international, the Brabourne Stadium, once considered the mecca of Indian cricket, has not seen quality cricket.

The reasons for cricketing drought at the 75-year-old ground are plenty — the key factor, of course, is the Mumbai Cricket Association-owned Wankhede Stadium which has been the preferred venue for international matches in the city.

Strangely enough, even after the Wankhede has gone for renovation, the game has not returned to the club’s hallowed greens. The club laws — permitting free entry in the club house for all its 8000-odd members — have come in the way of big matches.
Things could change if the members agree to review the laws or a make a bit of sacrifice, as a member of the CCI says.

The management has called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to see if the laws of the club can be amended so that it can attract some matches, international and those of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Immediately, the club management has an offer to host the final of the IPL this May if it is willing to spare a part of its club house. It can also earn up to Rs 3 crore if it signs pacts with Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals. Mumbai Indians can stage their seven home league matches and RR have the right to stage this year’s final by virtue of being last year’s champions. The CCI is yet to respond.

The EGM (on February 27) has been called to seek the members’ view. It wants to offer the members’ alternative free accommodation in the stands. “We can get back to the IPL only after the EGM,” club president Badal Mittal, who will address an open house on Saturday, told DNA.

It is learnt that the club will charge Rs 30 lakh per match if the Mumbai Indians agree to host their seven league matches. For the final, the club has demanded Rs 1 crore.
“It is a win-win situation — the club can earn big money and also get quality cricket back at the venue. Besides it can also seek to host some matches of the 2011 World Cup even if the Wankhede is ready by then,” said a member. But Badal says he will wait till the EGM’s outcome before celebrating the return of cricket.

A Twenty20 match between India and Australia in 2007 was the last international fixture at the venue. The club was to host a few Champions League matches followed by a Test between India and England but the Mumbai terror attacks forced a cancellation of the matches. The last year’s IPL matches were held at the DY Patel Stadium in Nerul.

A member said if the club doesn’t take immediate steps the only cricket that will be left in the CCI is in its name.