Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Will India participate in Champions Trophy?' that was published in Newsband

Will India participate in Champions Trophy?

The ICC Champions Trophy has its own charm. India is the defending champion. BCCI officials floated the story that India would not participate in the eighth edition of the Champions Trophy in England from June 1 to 18. The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has consistently maintained that the Indian team would indeed go to England. But the BCCI remained obstinate and refused to heed the ICC-mandated deadline of April 25 for naming the squad for the Champions Trophy.

BCCI officials have demonstrated a shocking degree of insensitivity. They have let down the cricketers. What is the use of possessing great talent when India might lose its chance of playing until 2023 if Indian team is withdrawn from the Champion Trophy?

BCCI, it seems, is more interested in money matters and the administrators are so egoistic that they have not been able to digest their losing control in ICC and BCCI affairs. The players should protest as it is very much against their interests and the Supreme Court should pass severe strictures against some of the former office bearers of the BCCI.

The recent developments of BCCI are matter of grave concern. The body is more interested in commercial interests rather than players and commitment to international programmes and policies. Except for few upcoming talented youngsters cricket has become a money spinning business and fans oriented entertainment.

There are some people who say, “Isn't making a good living not in the players interest? Isn't bringing in the revenue to help support cricket in India not in the interest of players? With the $200M loss of revenue for India, there is 30% chance that we may not see the likes of Tendulkar or Dravid or Rohit in the making? Why because the funds generated goes to supporting those cricketers who might not have picked up the cricket bat? Money is important to sport. BCCI has been able to commercialize it well. Will the world stop if Champions Trophy doesn't happen? Losing $270M is bigger than India not playing Champions Trophy.”