No decision on Cooling off period in BCCI Apex Council Meeting, Media rights deal kick off with IND vs AUS ODIs

Jan 19, 2024

The BCCI Apex Council Meeting shed light on some important talking points in Indian cricket. The Indian cricket board will introduce a…

The BCCI Apex Council Meeting shed light on some important talking points in Indian cricket. The Indian cricket board will introduce a cooling period but a final decision will be taken by Roger Binny and Jay Shah. The BCCI Media Rights will kick off with IND vs AUS ODI series. The meeting also decided to send both men’s and women’s teams to the Asian Games 2023 in China.

Also Read: BCCI undecided on cooling period, Jay Shah, Roger Binny to have final say

Currently, there is no policy on retired players playing in overseas leagues. However, BCCI is concerned that more and more players could opt for that route backed by IPL-owned franchises abroad. Ambati Rayudu for instance retired from the IPL only to be signed by CSK’s sister franchise in MLC.

“The BCCI is a bit worried that many Indian players will retire early to play in the various lucrative T20 leagues abroad, especially as many teams in these leagues are owned by IPL franchises. Hence, there’s a thought being given to perhaps introduce a cooling-off period,” a source on the Board told TOI.

As for the media rights, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah expects the formalities to be completed by late August. India are without a home broadcaster, which is why the Duleep Trophy was not streamed. BCCI’s deal with Star expired in March and a new tender is expected later this month. Disney Star, Viacom18, and Sony-Zee are expected to be major players.

“The BCCI’s new media rights deal (for bilateral matches in India) will be in place by August-end. It will start with the eight-match series against Australia (3 ODIs before the ODI World Cup & 5 T20Is after the WC),” Jay Shah said.

The BCCI will invite applications for roles in the women’s team support staff in the coming days. While Amol Muzumdar is favourite to be named head coach, the CAC also want to name a batting and bowling coach. The Indian board will likely announce all three appointments before the Asian Games 2023. As things stand, Nooshin Al Khadeer is the interim coach of the Indian women’s team for the Bangladesh tour.

“The CAC has recommended the name of a head coach. They will also interview. They will also interview a batting and bowling coach. We will announce the names of all coaches before the Asian Games,” Jay Shah added.

The IPL version of the Impact Player Rule will be used in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT 2023) beginning October 16. The Impact Player was introduced in SMAT last season but it had to be brought in by or before the 14th over and had to be named before the toss.

However, this will change from next season as like the IPL, teams will be allowed to name four substitutes besides the playing eleven before the toss. Out of the four substitutes, only one can be used as an Impact Player by either team. The rule was approved at the BCCI Apex Council meeting in Mumbai on Friday.

India will compete in the Asian Games’ cricket competition for the first time ever in their sporting history. We intend to take part in the Asian Games. The participation of our men’s and women’s teams has been authorised by the Apex Council, according to Shah.

“A men’s and women’s team from the BCCI will represent India at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, from September to October. We’re hoping to take home gold in both categories,” a senior BCCI official told TOI.

The BCCI has determined that all players on the Indian men’s and women’s teams must meet specific fitness standards. The Indian Cricket Board had previously implemented a mandatory yo-yo test to determine selection. However, the practice was discontinued following COVID-19 before being resumed post the T20 WC last year.

“A couple of players in the Indian women’s team were dropped for the Bangladesh tour as they failed to fulfil the fitness criteria. The Board is going to be strict on that front,” a source told TOI.

It has been reported that the BCCI would begin a nationwide search for bowlers. Coaches from the National Cricket Academy of the Board will be the ones in charge of the talent search for bowlers between the ages of 18 and 23.

“It was felt that we need to have bench strength in the bowling department to win Tests, hence the need for this move,” said a source to TOI.

India have lost Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna to long-term injuries. Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat are in their 30s, while Mohammed Siraj is currently the only fast bowler playing across formats.

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Sreehari Menon is a sports junkie who enjoys both men's and women's cricket and football, and has been at InsideSport since 2021. As a sports writer, he is trying his level best to make sense of sport and what goes on around it from the comfort of his sofa. As a Manchester United and Indian Cricket Team fan, Sreehari has seen his fair share of ups and downs. For Sree, conversation starters include ghazals, tea, and poetry. He is an optimist in sports and a pessimist in life.