Jnana - pure knowledge

Now that the World Cup debacle of Indian cricket team is discussed at length by everyone from pappu to parliamentarians, I want to put forward a critical question – “Is Indian cricket team really INDIAN?” This question is important for me because I am fed up listening to people who are referring to team’s early exit as national shame.

Since BCCI does not have a official website, we have to rely on other sources to know the nature of BCII. According to information available in Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Government of India), BCCI was formed in December 1927 with its headquarters in Delhi. The same site says that BCCI got affiliated to ICC in 1929.

The Wikipedia entry for BCCI says that it is a society, registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. According to the affidavit submitted by BCCI to Supreme Court in 2005, it said it was a non-profit making, autonomous association restricted to its members.

Well, whether BCCI makes profit or not is not my concern right now. My question is this – If BCCI is autonomous body, then how is the team that it selects becomes national?

In a significant ruling in 2005, Supreme Court ruled that the BCCI was not an organ of the "State" but an autonomous organization. They also noted that the BCCI could not be held a State only because of the popularity of cricket in the country.

Please read the affidavit of BCCI which says clearly that “It is governed by its own rules and regulations independent of any state...it organizes matches with its members or the team members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is also an autonomous body….”

What does all this mean? Well for the starters, what we call as Indian team is really a BCCI team. Just like your local club, BCCI too is a private and autonomous body. As per Supreme Court it is not the organ of state. So there is nothing remotely Indian about the team it selects except for the fact that it is registered in India.

It takes players by contract and they play for BCCI. No where is it mentioned that players “represent” country. The matter is simple. The state (Indian Government) does not pay them, BCCI pays them. So they represent BCCI as they are its employees.

So wake up guys….don’t bring in patriotism and national sentiments in the game. It is just another private affair between private clubs. So please stop equating BCCI team with INDIA.

Still not convinced…..Ok…I think you have heard that Subhash Chandra will start India Cricket League. Now if this becomes big in international scene, then will you call the team from India as INDIAN team? Then what about BCCI team?