New Delhi:
The recent 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked a wave of criticism and calls for action within the Indian cricket fraternity. A former official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has urged the newly appointed secretary, Devajit Saikia, to take a firm stance against chief selector Ajit Agarkar and address the glaring issues plaguing the team.
Saikia, who is set to be formally elected as the BCCI secretary on January 12, is being called upon to assert the board’s authority and change the negative narrative surrounding Indian cricket. The former official emphasized the need for the BCCI to be seen as actively managing the sport, rather than allowing a perception of complacency to prevail.
At the heart of the criticism are senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose performances in the series have been under intense scrutiny. Sharma managed only 31 runs in three matches, while Kohli scored 190 runs in five matches, figures that have drawn severe criticism from fans and analysts alike. This poor performance has reignited debates about the ‘superstar’ culture within the Indian cricket team, with many questioning whether these players are being held to the same standards as their younger counterparts.
The former BCCI official, quoted by Dainik Jagran, stressed that the BCCI must ensure no player feels ‘bigger than the game.’ This sentiment is echoed by former all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who criticized the current selection policy and the reliance on senior players. Pathan suggested that younger players, who could provide more consistent performances, should be given more opportunities. He highlighted that Kohli’s first-innings average in 2024 was a mere 15, and over the last five years, it barely crossed the 30s, raising questions about whether India is getting the best from its senior players.
The upcoming cricket calendar adds to the urgency of this situation. India will engage in white-ball cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next six months before heading to England for a five-Test series. The participation of both Sharma and Kohli in this series remains uncertain, further complicating the team’s preparations.
As Saikia prepares to take on his new role, the pressure is mounting for him to address these critical issues and restore the credibility of Indian cricket. The BCCI’s Special General Meeting on January 12, where Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia are set to be elected unopposed as secretary and treasurer, respectively, will be a pivotal moment in this journey.
