Indian Board unhappy with players' Kotla remarks

Mumbai: The recent remarks by Indian players on the Kotla fiasco do not seem to have amused the Board. At a time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing itself for a ‘fight’ with the International Cricket Council (ICC), comments by Indian players supporting the the Match Referee and the umpires for their decision to abandon the fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka hasn’t exactly helped the BCCI’s cause.

With many Board officials holidaying in different places, no formal decision or communication has been made to the players. However, the BCCI is unhappy that the players are airing their views that are not exactly in conformity with its stated position on the issue. “I have not seen the comments. I will check them. But they have no business to comment on this issue,” very senior functionary of the BCCI told DNA.

During the last two days, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh have openly remarked that the Match Referee’s decision to call off the fifth ODI was right.

“I think the Match Referee has done the right thing. He must have given it a serious thought. It was not an ideal wicket for a one day international match. This is an embarrassing situation which doesn't happen often and someone has to stand up and take the responsibility,” the left-handed opener had said recently.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the Board is not in a hurry to respond to ICC’s notice on the Kotla wicket. “What is the hurry? We have got 14 days’ time,” the Board official said and then added, “We first have to get a response from the DDCA.” The Match Referee’s as well as the BCCI’s report will be passed to ICC general manager Dave Richardson and chief referee Ranjan Madugalle who will, in turn, decide on the penalty which could be between 12 to 24 months. The BCCI, of course, can appeal against their decision.