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Diana Edulji vows to put BCCI’s house in order

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been embroiled in a series of scandals, including accusations of corruption in the Indian Premier League.

The first woman to hold a top post at India’s powerful and immensely wealthy cricket board vowed Tuesday to put the scandal-plagued body’s house in order.

Former India captain Diana Edulji was appointed Monday to a four-member team tasked by India’s Supreme Court to oversee the running of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“The first step we have to take is to get the house in order,” Edulji, who played 20 Tests and 34 one-day internationals for India between 1976 and 1993, told media outside her home in Mumbai.

“Let’s hope we can bring justice and bring BCCI back to its glorious days,” added the 61-year-old, saying it was time for Indian cricket to “look ahead” after years of turmoil.

The Supreme Court’s appointment of the panel, headed by former government auditor Vinod Rai, was the latest development in its BCCI shakeup.

The board has been embroiled in a series of scandals, including accusations of corruption in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a betting scandal involving an IPL team linked to its former head Narayanaswami Srinivasan.

Charges of corruption and nepotism dented the BCCI’s image in recent times, leading many activists to urge India’s top court to intervene to reform the privately-run organisation.

The Supreme Court earlier this month sacked the BCCI’s two most senior officials for failing to implement reforms aimed at improving governance and transparency.

Edulji, who joins prominent historian Ramachandra Guha, Mumbai-based banker Vikram Limaye as well as Rai, on the new administrative body, said it was unclear how long the four would be in place.

“Until we get the house in order, BCCI elections are done and everything (with) the state associations. Until the orders of the Supreme Court are implemented then only we will know.”

Their exact titles were expected to become clear when the group meets for the first time in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Edulji added it was a “great honour” to be selected but that she was “a bit surprised” to be the only cricketer in the group, pledging to work hard to improve all aspects of the game.

The Parsi is one of India’s most-decorated women cricketers. As a left-arm orthodox bowler, she collected 63 wickets in Tests and 46 in ODIs during an illustrious career.

Edulji said one of her focuses would be on growing the women’s game.

“I hope I can bring something that women’s cricket can progress definitely, popularise the game, play more cricket and have a lot more international exposure,” she said.

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Very interesting as first woman to rise to this level in cricket
 
The Indian women's team faced a narrow five-run loss in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup on Thursday, thus bowing out of the tournament. India had restricted Australia to 172/4 in 20 overs, and were once cruising at 97/3 in the run-chase at the half-way mark in the innings. However, the side endured a batting collapse with Harmanpreet Kaur's dismissal being the trigger, as it eventually ended at 167/8.

Harmanpreet had been brilliant until her unfortunate run out, as her bat was struck at the crease while she was returning for a second run. After she was dismissed on 52 off 34 deliveries, India failed to maintain the quick flow of runs with Richa Ghosh (14), Deepti Sharma (20*) and Sneh Rana (11) failing to take India past the finishing line.

Following the game, the Indian women's team was lauded for its fightback by fans and former cricketers but the side's former captain Diana Edulji has come down hard on the players. In a blunt criticism of the side, Edulji has said that the Indian women's team isn't fit enough and further urged the BCCI to bring an overhaul to the women's cricketing setup.

“I found the U-19 team much fitter than the seniors. They didn't choke in the final. From 2017 to 2023 it is the same old story (for the senior team),” Edulji told PTI.

"The BCCI must have proper assessment of players' fitness. I know yo yo test is a bit tough for women. Out of 15 , 12 will fail that test but you have a different criteria for them for acceptable fitness standards. Right now there is no accountability on that front," she told PTI a day after India's five run loss in the semi-finals.

“You are definitely looking at an overhaul (in terms of planning and preparation after the World Cup loss). They need to improve fitness first of all, their fielding, their catching running between the wickets. Unless you have strength in the legs, you won't be able to run.”

Edulji further said that India need to do away with the “star culture” and have a “proper strategy” for women's cricket.

“They need absolute danda (BCCI needs to crack the whip) to reach the top. You are getting everything from the BCCI including equal play. Every time you lose a winning game, it is a habit. BCCI has to take a strong call and not give in to the demands of the players. Have a proper strategy for the future. We have had enough of this star culture. It is not going to work like this,” said Edulji.

HindustanTimes
 
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