Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to broaden the role of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and utilise the expertise of former cricketers to address issues surrounding Indian cricket, particularly at the domestic level.
Gavaskar’s comments come after he recently criticised East Zone’s approach in the Duleep Trophy final. East Zone, led by Ishan Kishan, settled for the title after taking a first-innings lead, with the match ending in a draw. The rule has been debated in domestic cricket for several seasons, and Gavaskar believes the CAC could have a greater role in addressing such issues.
The former India captain suggested that the committee should not be limited to appointing coaches and selectors. He believes several experienced former India players could contribute to decisions involving domestic and international fixtures and other matters concerning Indian cricket.
“There are no longer any committees in BCCI today apart from the selection committees and the CAC. Perhaps the time has come to expand the CAC and its brief of selecting the selectors and coach, and also look at fixtures — domestic and international, and all things related to Indian cricket. There are some incredibly experienced former cricketers whose expertise can be utilised to be on this committee,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the Mid-Day.
Gavaskar names Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly among potential CAC members
The latest known appointments to the CAC came in 2022, when Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik were named to the three-member panel. The committee has traditionally been involved in the appointment of the head coach and selectors.
Gavaskar, however, feels that the BCCI could bring several legendary former cricketers into an expanded committee. He specifically mentioned the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, among others.
“How about names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag — to name a few? The President and Secretary will be there too,” he added.
‘Carries heft beyond measure’
Gavaskar further explained that a committee comprising such experienced former cricketers could have a significant impact when interacting with the head coach, captain and the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
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He also suggested establishing a similar committee for women’s cricket, with the aim of using the experience and expertise of former players to make important decisions and contribute to the development of the game.
“When this committee interacts with the coach and captain and the head of the NCA, it carries a heft beyond measure. A similar committee for women’s cricket, too, where experience and expertise meet to take calls to take Indian cricket forward,” wrote Gavaskar.
Gavaskar concluded by admitting that such a setup may still be a distant possibility, but believes the idea could bring together some of the most experienced voices in Indian cricket.
“Just thinking about this gives one the goosebumps. Will it ever happen, or is it just a dream?” he concluded.
