AmmarAshraf
23rd August 2011, 15:35
The Telegraph has obtained a leaked copy of the BCCI’s review of the recent England v India Test series. Like the ECB’s Schofield Review and Cricket Australia’s Argus Review, it recommends wide-ranging reforms of the Indian game. Unlike them, it also recommends a Bollywood fitness DVD.
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BCCI REPORT INTO THE TEST SERIES DEFEAT TO ENGLAND
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Findings
1) Firstly, the committee felt that it was important to stress the many successes of Indian cricket. In particular, the BCCI’s television deal with Nimbus has generated a revenue stream of $612 million that could, theoretically, be invested back into the national game. In addition, the BCCI has forged successful commercial partnerships with Citibank, Hero Honda, Volkswagen…
[the next two pages have been redacted]
…DLF and Fly Kingfisher, to name but a few. Again, these partnerships have generated significant funds for the smooth administration of cricket in India.
Recommendations:
The committee congratulated itself on its excellent commercial performance over recent years.
2) The committee was next asked to consider the setup and structure of the national team apparatus. At present, the team functions with a ‘coach’ (Duncan Fletcher), a ‘fitness trainer’ (position currently vacant) and several ‘team ambassadors’ (between 30 and 60, depending on the quality of hotel accommodation).
It was felt that this is an overly complicated system, with no clear lines of authority and an over-reliance on Western management fads such as ‘practice’ and ‘fielding’.
Recommendations:
The committee thus concluded that the contracts of head coach Duncan Fletcher and all specialist coaches should be terminated with immediate effect, and their duties undertaken by an additional 10-15 ‘team ambassadors’, subject to the logistics of flying them first class to London at such short notice.
3) The committee was next asked to consider the fitness of the national team with regard to the current series in England.
It was concluded that most of the current members of the Indian side were still far fitter than any of the members of the committee (with the notable exception of RP Singh) and that to cast aspersions on the athletic ability of the team at this stage would have been inappropriate.
Recommendations:
The committee ordered a copy of Honey Kalaria’s ‘Bollywood Workout’ DVD to be made available to RP Singh at the earliest possible convenience.
4) The committee was next asked to consider the preparation time afforded to the national side prior to the current series against England. It was acknowledged that much of the players’ free time is occupied with sponsors’ events, corporate engagements, commercial opportunities and the like.
While this burden on them was regretted, it was felt that if they were not so encumbered, they would simply spend their time – in the words of one committee member – “dancing in nightclubs, pursuing their own business ventures and wasting valuable hours with their families”, and so their commercial commitments may be regarded as part of an employer’s fundamental duty of personal care.
Finally, it was recognised that the sub-standard performance of the national team on the field is likely to have an adverse effect on public consumption of cricket, and consequently the commercial revenues arising from it. This is liable to create a shortfall in the BCCI’s finances that will have to be filled sooner rather than later.
Recommendations:
a) Discussions to be opened with the Pakistan Cricket Board over a potential seven-match ODI series to be played in Monaco in November, in between the third and fourth ODIs against England.
b) All contracted players required to perform an additional 12 commercial engagements per calendar year.
5) The poor form of Sachin Tendulkar also came under consideration. The committee were of the view that rather than this detracting from his own reputation, Tendulkar’s relative lack of success resulted wholly from the failings of the 10 team-mates around him, who failed to give him the support he needed. In particular, the committee noted the egotistical, self-serving actions of Rahul Dravid, who took it upon himself to score most of the team’s runs without regard for the interests of the team.
Recommendations:
All members of the team, with the exception of Tendulkar, to be dropped from the side with immediate effect.
6) Finally, the committee considered the impact of Twenty20 cricket on the performance of the Test side. Here, it was felt that the example of the English system was one from which lessons could be learnt. The system of 18 counties creates a wide talent pool and healthy competition from which a strong body of international cricketers can be drawn. It was felt that this is something that is lacking in Indian cricket.
It was further acknowledged that the outstanding success of the DLF Indian Premier League 2011 had had a detrimental effect on the players, due to their clear frustration at not being able to play in IPL5 until next spring.
Recommendations:
a) Number of IPL franchises to be increased to 18 with immediate effect. Applications for new franchise holders to be actively sought.
b) The IPL to be held twice a year rather than annually. Dialogue to begin with existing and potential new commercial partners.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/jonathanliew/100018539/revealed-the-bccis-secret-report-into-indias-test-debacle/
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16584&d=1312346270
—–
BCCI REPORT INTO THE TEST SERIES DEFEAT TO ENGLAND
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Findings
1) Firstly, the committee felt that it was important to stress the many successes of Indian cricket. In particular, the BCCI’s television deal with Nimbus has generated a revenue stream of $612 million that could, theoretically, be invested back into the national game. In addition, the BCCI has forged successful commercial partnerships with Citibank, Hero Honda, Volkswagen…
[the next two pages have been redacted]
…DLF and Fly Kingfisher, to name but a few. Again, these partnerships have generated significant funds for the smooth administration of cricket in India.
Recommendations:
The committee congratulated itself on its excellent commercial performance over recent years.
2) The committee was next asked to consider the setup and structure of the national team apparatus. At present, the team functions with a ‘coach’ (Duncan Fletcher), a ‘fitness trainer’ (position currently vacant) and several ‘team ambassadors’ (between 30 and 60, depending on the quality of hotel accommodation).
It was felt that this is an overly complicated system, with no clear lines of authority and an over-reliance on Western management fads such as ‘practice’ and ‘fielding’.
Recommendations:
The committee thus concluded that the contracts of head coach Duncan Fletcher and all specialist coaches should be terminated with immediate effect, and their duties undertaken by an additional 10-15 ‘team ambassadors’, subject to the logistics of flying them first class to London at such short notice.
3) The committee was next asked to consider the fitness of the national team with regard to the current series in England.
It was concluded that most of the current members of the Indian side were still far fitter than any of the members of the committee (with the notable exception of RP Singh) and that to cast aspersions on the athletic ability of the team at this stage would have been inappropriate.
Recommendations:
The committee ordered a copy of Honey Kalaria’s ‘Bollywood Workout’ DVD to be made available to RP Singh at the earliest possible convenience.
4) The committee was next asked to consider the preparation time afforded to the national side prior to the current series against England. It was acknowledged that much of the players’ free time is occupied with sponsors’ events, corporate engagements, commercial opportunities and the like.
While this burden on them was regretted, it was felt that if they were not so encumbered, they would simply spend their time – in the words of one committee member – “dancing in nightclubs, pursuing their own business ventures and wasting valuable hours with their families”, and so their commercial commitments may be regarded as part of an employer’s fundamental duty of personal care.
Finally, it was recognised that the sub-standard performance of the national team on the field is likely to have an adverse effect on public consumption of cricket, and consequently the commercial revenues arising from it. This is liable to create a shortfall in the BCCI’s finances that will have to be filled sooner rather than later.
Recommendations:
a) Discussions to be opened with the Pakistan Cricket Board over a potential seven-match ODI series to be played in Monaco in November, in between the third and fourth ODIs against England.
b) All contracted players required to perform an additional 12 commercial engagements per calendar year.
5) The poor form of Sachin Tendulkar also came under consideration. The committee were of the view that rather than this detracting from his own reputation, Tendulkar’s relative lack of success resulted wholly from the failings of the 10 team-mates around him, who failed to give him the support he needed. In particular, the committee noted the egotistical, self-serving actions of Rahul Dravid, who took it upon himself to score most of the team’s runs without regard for the interests of the team.
Recommendations:
All members of the team, with the exception of Tendulkar, to be dropped from the side with immediate effect.
6) Finally, the committee considered the impact of Twenty20 cricket on the performance of the Test side. Here, it was felt that the example of the English system was one from which lessons could be learnt. The system of 18 counties creates a wide talent pool and healthy competition from which a strong body of international cricketers can be drawn. It was felt that this is something that is lacking in Indian cricket.
It was further acknowledged that the outstanding success of the DLF Indian Premier League 2011 had had a detrimental effect on the players, due to their clear frustration at not being able to play in IPL5 until next spring.
Recommendations:
a) Number of IPL franchises to be increased to 18 with immediate effect. Applications for new franchise holders to be actively sought.
b) The IPL to be held twice a year rather than annually. Dialogue to begin with existing and potential new commercial partners.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/jonathanliew/100018539/revealed-the-bccis-secret-report-into-indias-test-debacle/
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16584&d=1312346270