The controversy over Mithali Raj's exclusion from the playing XI in the Women's World T20 semifinal took a murky turn today when the contents of her “confidential letter” to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and general manager of cricket operations Saba Karim were selectively leaked to the media.
In her letter, Raj accused CoA member Diana Edulji of “using her position against me more so after hearing all that I had to go through in the Caribbean... her brazen support in the press with regard to the decision of my benching in the semifinal of the T20 world cup has left me deeply distressed...”.
She also cited examples of head coach Ramesh Powar humiliating her during the tournament.
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Raj and T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur were summoned by Johri and Karim to the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Monday to explain the circumstances which resulted in the axing of Raj in the semifinal against Australia. The exclusion of the batting legend was widely criticised by fans and experts. However, CoA member Diana Edulji said it was a selection issue and out of bounds for the CoA.
Since then, however, selective leaks of team manager Trupti Bhattacharya's report on the tour and now the email from Raj have happened. Both leaks have come from the BCCI Cricket Centre since the report and the emails were addressed to the BCCI officials. Fingers are being pointed at those in power in Indian cricket trying to discredit Edulji for taking a strong and disparate position on Rahul Johri over the sexual harassment allegation against him. The political war between those running Indian cricket is now spilling over on to the field, singeing players and teams.
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Expressing her dismay and anger at Raj's letter being leaked, Shantha Rangaswamy, former India captain, said, “It is not the content of the mail per say but the fact that a confidential mail has been leaked that is upsetting. This is going to hurt the image of the BCCI severely. I agree with Diana [Edulji]; it is a selection matter.”
Rangaswamy also said she would write to the CoA on “how, under their stewardship, the BCCI image is taking a dent”.
“It does appear some are trying to get even with Diana [Edulji].”
BCCI office-bearers came out strongly against the leak. Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said, “The leak is a serious impropriety. I am the convenor of all senior selection committees, yet I have not been consulted.”
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BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry said that Raj was being used as a pawn in the fight between the warring CoA and Johri. “One understands Mithali Raj's anguish. She is one of the greatest players to have played for India. The Indian skipper has already given a statement about the same. If at all the matter needed to be inquired into, it is, as per the BCCI constitution in line with the latest Supreme Court order, the job of the Cricket Cricket Advisory Committee. Where is the CAC? This issue is being mishandled like the Anil Kumble issue. This appears to be a mean of creating a distraction from real issues by those who leaked this letter. I am sure Mithali wasn't expecting her email to be leaked.”
Chaudhry seems to have a point. BCCI CEO Johri is in Edulji's firing line over the sexual harassment allegations against him (despite an independent committee giving him a clean chit). Besides, by leaking a damning letter from one of India's finest cricketers putting Edulji in the dock appears to be a way to get even with the latter who has openly opposed Johri.
It is not the first time Johri had earned Edulji's ire. She had, reportedly, been furious at him for allegedly withholding information related to the trouble between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the then head coach Anil Kumble.
As per the BCCI constitution, the Indian team manager submits a report after tour or series Team India plays. With no elected body in place, the Supreme Court has entrusted the BCCI CEO with running the day-to-day affairs of Indian cricket after consultation with the CoA.
With Edulji, a former captain coach and selector herself, making it clear that the selection issue cannot be brought to the CoA, it needs to be asked—why were the captain and the player called to explain selection issues to the CEO?
Said an influential cricket administrator experienced in dealing with players, coaches and team selections, “Too many leaks are happening. A captain was dropped—why should this matter reach the CoA? The BCCI constitution, as per the latest Supreme Court order, clearly says that selection of the playing XI is a captain's prerogative. In case there is a tie in the selection committee, captain's word is final. To question a captain is ridiculous. Why was the meeting even called?”
The administrator further added that “CEO Johri was unlikely to call the meeting without a green signal from the CoA (in this case, it has to be chairman Vinod Rai since Edulji had already vetoed the matter). “Johri is playing with fire. At the end of the day, he must remember he is an employee of the Board. No esteemed organisation will tolerate his actions.”