Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expects that if Jay Shah becomes the next ‘Supremo’ of the International Cricket Council, he would work towards the development of the global sport as he has done for Indian cricket.
This statement from Gavaskar comes in the wake of ICC chairman Greg Barclay’s announcement that he would contest no more elections.
“In all probability, Jay Shah is the next ICC president” Sunil Gavaskar referred that in the latest column for Sportstar. Just as he has catered to the domestic players’ needs irrespective of gender, the Chinese will do the same with issues’ players’ interests. ”Gavaskar answered those assumptions suggesting Shah influenced Barclay not to attempt the third term. Especially targeting the ‘Old Powers’ in cricket who appeared disturbed by the power shift. He insinuated that such people were afraid of relinquishing their position of dominion in international cricket.
“Admit that upon hearing the departure of Greg Barclay who when did not seek re election. His critics bashed him with the Agency Of Old Powers has been used in this case,” Sunil Gavaskar noted. “Only when the perennial cribbers were questioned about what the representatives of their Old Powers were doing did it suddenly occur to them that if indeed Barclay was forced to not seek a third term, then what were their own representatives at the ICC doing at the meeting?”
The former cricketer criticized those “Old Powers” even more claiming that their arguments were made out of the fear of alienated power.
“What concerned them most and was their fundamental source of criticism was that they understood they would no longer be in control of affairs,” he said with dismissal. “They argued that this, where were their voices of objection? And if there were none, then they were as guilty as the person they were wrongly pointing a finger at. It’s called the Tall poppy syndrome as well as the impression against the realisation that they control international cricket anymore.”
While applauding Shah, Gavaskar stressed on healthy cooperation between the players and the administrators of The Board of Control for Cricket in India –BCCI. He felt this cooperation was responsible for the well-being of cricket in India.
“None can deny that Indian cricket has come to where it is today due to the BCCI and its management as well,” noted Sunil Gavaskar. “The elite level of cricket which the men’s and women’s teams play is also a major contributing factor why cricket development is thriving in India. If the team was not winning, the sponsors would stay away. The superiority of Indian cricket is due to the cooperation of players and the administrators. Let it prevail forever.”
Promotion of Shah and criticism of the “Old Powers” by Gavaskar might suggest a changing trend in power relations within global cricket governance. Such a change may enable new power holders to change the governance of the sport on the global arena.
