Shashank Manohar seeks transparency with far-reaching reforms

• Shashank Manohar has suggested a set of rules regarding conflict of interest in Indian cricket
• The amendments to the rules and regulations are being proposed for the consideration at the AGM next month
• If ratified by a majority, these rules could heavily disrupt multiple interests of several ex-cricketers along with administrators

Eight years ago, the Indian board's folly to allow its then honorary treasurer's company to buy a franchise in Indian Premier League (IPL), created a monster that is plaguing the game today. In 2007-08, then BCCI president Sharad Pawar, vice-president Shashank Manohar, sacked IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and other senior BCCI administrators ­ most of who continue to call the shots in Indian cricket even today - were the men who had no objection in N Srinivasan's company India Cements picking an IPL franchise. Today, when the Supreme Court has come down heavily on Srinivasan's conflict of interest, the BCCI's officials are trying to correct their past mistakes.

Manohar, re-elected president early this month, has suggested a set of rules regarding conflict of interest in Indian cricket and the amendments to the rules and regulations are being proposed for the consideration at the AGM next month. If ratified by a majority, these rules could heavily disrupt multiple interests of several ex-cricketers along with administrators with anon-cricketingbackground.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly happens to be the president of Cricket Association of Bengal, a member of the newly-appointed cricket advisory committee, member of the IPL governing council, a TV commentator and a newspaper columnist. Ganguly may be asked to give up on a few roles to keep the others as BCCI tries to draw an ethical line for those with numerous interests in the game. Along with Ganguly, several other former cricketers like Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, Roger Binny, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and more could be affected by the new set of rules.

Shastri, for instance, has been with the senior national team as director while associating with a tennis league, commentating in between national duty and writing newspaper columns.

"Wonder why it didn't occur to the board in 2008 how an honorary BCCI official's company could buy an IPL franchise. At that time, they simply ignored it because it suited the board's internal camaraderie," a source said.

Meanwhile, the new BCCI regime could bring in a lot of other changes such as a new IPL governing council chairman in place of Rajiv Shukla, who currently holds the post. "A host of new appointments will be announced at the AGM when decisions are ratified," the source added.
Manohar has started this clean up act by becoming the first among equals to avoid any conflict. After beingre-electedpresident, his first move was to ask hisson Adwait to vacate his position in the BCCI's legal cell.

"A few tough decisions might be on the way and there are those who might feel the pinch out of turn. But sometimes these calls have to be taken," a source said.