After the BCCI expressed its’s displeasure at allowing the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on testing the Indian cricketers, the BCCI discussed the specific matter with Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. They also sought help from the government on their views of facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the planned ICC Test Championship.
NADA wanted to bring the Indian cricketers in the nest, but the board rejected their proposal saying the as it as a WADA compliant organisation it would not come under NADA’s supervision. After the discussion on the above matter with Sports Minister, the BCCI has brought up the issue and added it to the agenda for the scheduled Special General Meeting (SGM) on December 9.
BCCI’s CEO Rahul Johri and General Manager of Administration and Game Development Prof. Ratnakar Shetty who is well aware and knowledgeable with the anti-doping policy of BCCI met the Sports Minister R Rathore at his office for about 45 minutes.
“The topic of discussion today was about NADA and WADA. During yesterday’s meeting, it was decided that Rahul will be accompanied by Prof Shetty as he is aware of the anti-doping policy of BCCI. There were some other operational topics discussed but main was anti-doping policy,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by PTI on conditions of keeping his name anonymous.
It is still not clear that what are the views of the ministry but it will be conveyed to the officials and will be discussed at the SGM. When Acting BCCI President CK Khanna was contacted, he confirmed that the anti-doping policy was indeed added to the agenda.
“This meeting was a courtesy call and was planned long ago. Since Rathore took charge, they wanted to meet him. All issues, including cricketing ties with Pakistan, was discussed. Anyway, playing Pakistan or not, it is not only the decision of Sports Ministry but it lies mainly with PMO and the Home Ministry,” another BCCI official stated.
The issue of playing Pakistan was also discussed. India hasn’t played Pakistan in bilateral series since the last time Pakistan toured India in 2012-13 for a brief series comprising of 3 ODI’s and a couple of T20I’s. While Pakistan took the ODI series 2-1, the T20I series was tied 1-1.
As per the ICC Future Tours Program, each of its member countries must play against each other at least once, and if India doesn’t resume bilateral ties with Pakistan, they will go on to lose points. According to the format, each team needs to play the other team in at least three home and away Tes series respectively and are free to include more series depending on the availability between 2019 to 2021.
The BCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2014 that they would play six bilateral series against their arch-rivals from 2015 to 2023. However, the Men in Blue refused to tour Pakistan in 2015 due to several issues, and the PCB had sent a notice to the BCCI claiming that they had incurred huge losses due to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan in 2015.