Diana Edulji, a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) that looks into the day-to-day administration of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has clarified her position on the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy presentation controversy.
Two days after BCCI acting president C.K. Khanna presented the winner’s trophy to Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma in Hyderabad, reports surfaced stating that Edulji wanted to present the trophy against protocol. In a media statement issued on Thursday, Edulji countered by accusing Khanna of breaching protocol during India’s ODI against Australia in New Delhi in March.
“In the CoA meeting dated 8th April, the topic was discussed. During the discussion, I had mentioned that as the acting president had abdicated his right to give away the trophy during the BCCI bilateral match in Delhi, he had shown disregard for the protocol and an office bearer of a State Association was allowed to give the trophy away and hence for the IPL Final CoA members should give the trophy. This was because the acting president had shown disregard to the office of the president of the BCCI,” Eduji stated.
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“I had even mentioned that if Mr. (COA head Vinod) Rai would be present at the Finals, then he should give the trophy to which he had said that he was not going to be present. It was then that I mentioned that as Gen. Ravi Thodge (CoA member) and I were attending the Finals, the 2 of us may present the trophy. The matter rested there.”
Despite Khanna being present during the presentation ceremony in Delhi, Delhi and District Cricket Association chief Rajat Sharma had handed over the trophy. Edujli added that Khanna has not cited any explanation for withdrawing his right despite several reminders by acting secretary Amitabh Chowdhary.
“I had relented regarding the decision only because things had turned ugly and I did not want the competent and hardworking officials of the BCCI to bear the brunt and to avoid any controversy during the ceremony after the great work done by the IPL team in putting up such a good show, I relented as I was told that the General was not eager to give the trophy,” Edulji stated.
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“I was surprised at this discussion being made public with only selective facts. With regard to a certain official who provided this half-baked information and making a mountain out of a mole hill looks to be the case of insecure and incompetent people.”
In response, Khanna said he had “no comment” to offer.
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