‘ICL is no challenge to BCCI’

Sharad Pawar says the board is too big to be threatened by the Indian Cricket League

MUMBAI: A day after Essel group chairman Subhash Chandra debunked talk of falling out with Union agriculture minister and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar, the latter confirmed that they shared a good relationship. That’s despite the Indian Cricket League’s (ICL’s) foray into the business. However, Pawar maintained that ICL, which has taken the board to court, is no threat to BCCI’s supremacy, nor will it ever be. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

Subhash Chandra has said some good things about you.
Yes, I’ve seen his statement. I agree with him. It is not a personal battle or an ego clash.

So, you and Chandra continue to be friends.
Yes, we share a healthy relationship. I have known him for a long time. I remember helping him on a few occasions. Our relationship is independent of the ICL and the BCCI.

Do you see ICL as a threat to the BCCI?
No, I don’t. It is a business venture by a businessman. He has every right to do whatever he thinks is good for his business. He can promote his business the way he wants to. Personally, I think it is not my business to be worried about it.

Will Chandra’s business affect the BCCI’s?
Who says that? How can you say that? His is a different venture. His league will not affect the BCCI’s business.

The media has portrayed it as a clash of interests between the ICL and the BCCI.
I don’t agree. The ICL cannot challenge an organisation as big and as old as the BCCI.

But some talented cricketers have joined the ICL?
See how many players have gone there and who are they. One or two of those who have joined are international players who don’t, anyway, have much of a future in the international cricket.

There’re some youngsters too…
If some have gone, so be it. We’ve very big bench strength. We’re not worried.

Where do you see this stand-off heading?
Where is the standoff? The ICL is running cricket with retired cricketers, so why I should be worried about it. It is not a threat to the BCCI at all. I’ve spoken to some cricketers who have joined the ICL.

I don’t want to name them but they have told me it is their job. There have earned jobs there. How can I stop them from their livelihood? So if they are employed there, I’m okay with it. I’m relieved that some of our retired cricketers are employed and are now earning well.

So you say the ICL is not such a bad thing after all?
When did I say that? Don’t put your words in my mouth. What I’ve said is one worry is out of my mind that some retired cricketers, for whom I thought I have some responsibility, are employed somewhere else. We’ve also increased benefits for the players.

Do you say the BCCI and the ICL can coexist?
I cannot comment about ICL and its existence. But it is not a threat nor a challenge to the Indian Cricket Board.