Former cricketers, officials welcome Supreme Court judgment

“This is a landmark judgement. It is good for Indian cricket and it will be back on track. There is light now and we are thankful to the Supreme Court. I don’t have to get into debate. This is full and final. This is going to be great news for Indian sports and cricket in particular. If you are watching IOA, it is in a shambles. That will be clarified too,” said Bedi. 

The Lodha committee recommendations on one state one vote was one of the most opposed by the BCCI, especially its affiliate Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Sharad Pawar, who resigned as MCA president last month to adhere to age cap of 70 years recommended by the Lodha, was left disappointed after the Supreme Court order today. 

Implementing one-state one-vote would mean Mumbai, Maharashtra and Vidarbha will have to right to vote on rotational basis. “It is the saddest day for Mumbai cricket. Mumbai cricket has produced so many international stars and done so much for Indian cricket (including record 41 time Ranji champions). The decision to keep Mumbai away from voting is painful,” said Pawar. 

Veteran administrator Niranjan Shah, who is secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association, said there was no option other than implementing the Lodha reforms.”Whatever Supreme Court says is final. 

We will have to abide by that,” said Shah. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary Kasi Viswanathan too concurred with his Saurashtra counterpart, saying the body will adopt Lodha recommendations. “We will have to go by what the Supreme Court has ordered. 

Anything else will be contempt of court. It has to be followed. We will soon call for a Special General Meeting to chart the road ahead,” Viswanathan said. Brijesh Patel, secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), said they were awaiting a copy of the Supreme Court order. 

“I can’t say anything until I read the order. Only after going through the order we can discuss the road ahead,” Patel told PTI when asked whether KSCA would implement the Lodha reforms. 

However, rattled by the verdict, senior BCCI vice President Gokaraju Ganga Raju made it clear that his association Andhra CA will implement Lodha Reforms with immediate effect. “There is no confusion as Supreme Court has passed it’s verdict. As the president of Andhra Cricket Association we would implement Lodha Reforms in totality with immediate effect.” said Ganga Raju.