‘Thinking of an Indian coach… Wait for a fortnight’
In his 2nd stint as BCCI president, Dalmiya is on a clean-up mission.
Jagmohan Dalmiya looked cheerful, sitting in his cosy Theatre Road office in Kolkata. He has assumed BCCI presidentship and is done with the different committees and sub-committees. This is the IPL season and there’s some hectic travelling ahead. Also, he will call a working committee meeting soon. A 16-point operation clean-up, however, tops his agenda. Dalmiya is determined to implement it. In an interview with The Indian Express, the new BCCI president, who’s playing his second innings at the helm, spoke about his future course of action. Excerpts:
Why did you decide to return to the BCCI fold?
I played my innings and had nothing new to achieve. But cricket shouldn’t have come to this state of affairs and it made me sad. It wasn’t about me being the president or not. But I didn’t want to see these sort of things. So on the last day of filing nominations, I decided to go ahead. If you (don’t) come forward and don’t do anything, how can you say you’re opposing it (corruption).
So operation clean-up is the name of the game in your second innings?
Cricket must have a clean slate. When I was there (as interim president), I had put forward a 16-point operation clean-up programme. They picked the first one on the list, which was banning cheergirls. The rest was not implemented. Now the cheergirls are back again. But this is a minor issue and we need to look at the bigger picture.
Related
Why was that 16-point programme not implemented?
I was there in three working committee meetings and every time they told me ‘these things we will see later’. I think there’s a time when I needed to tell them this was not done. (But) I didn’t want a fight.
Now you are back in charge, will you go through a course correction?
Of course. God has given me another opportunity, and since I’ve this opportunity, I want to take maximum advantage. I’ve already sent those 16 points to the working committee, but there’s a court-appointed inquiry going on, so I prefer to wait. I don’t want to overstep my brief. But I tell you, I will see the end of it. Not with animosity, but I won’t swallow anything. Ending corruption is a little tough, but we’ve to fight (against it).
After what had happened with you post 2005, did you ever think you’d be back to lead Indian cricket again?
There were various pluses and minuses in my career. It was a difficult period. I fought on. God is great.
There was an assumption you’d struggle to be your own man this term and someone else (read N Srinivasan) will pull the strings.
I don’t want to get into this. Who took what action is very difficult to tell. I want to live peacefully.
Bringing back Rajeev Shukla as IPL governing council chairman, does it send the right message? He was heading the panel when the controversies broke.
Don’t involve me in all these. Why do you want to get me in trouble! Let’s talk about other things. I don’t want to rock the boat.
OK, let’s talk cricket. You’ve to appoint a coach for the Indian team.
I don’t want to disclose anything.
Are you thinking of an Indian coach?
Yes. Wait for a fortnight.
India’s Test performance has hit rock bottom. We’ve lost 15 overseas Tests over the last four years. Are you concerned?
Performance needs an overhaul. We’ve to start winning on the road. We’ve to be consistent in all formats.
Your thoughts on ICC’s structural overhaul with India, England and Australia leading the charge.
No discussion, no thoughts. Once I start saying, I don’t know where I will end. I want a peaceful stint, without much controversy.
KKR management has altered the Eden Gardens club house facade. Posters of our national icons have been covered by a banner, promoting the franchise. Is this acceptable?
Never. I can’t spoil it while the game is on. But I don’t like these things. They’ve to take it off immediately. I don’t compromise on these things and have given instructions. They’re making a mistake. The (original appearance) will be restored soon.
There are reports you want Sourav Ganguly to assume a bigger role in Indian cricket.
He has proved himself on the field. Off the field, if he’s capable, let him prove himself.
Source:: Indian Express
