The Board of Control for Cricket in India's new regime continues to "remove officials with links to India Cements," a company owned by former BCCI President N. Srinivasan, according to Devendra Pandey of the INDIAN EXPRESS. The "latest to get the sack" is Team India Logistics Manager M.A. Satheesh, who was "appointed by the previous administration and earned more than the chairman of selectors and Grade B players." Earlier, the contract of CFO Prasanna Kannan, who in the past has worked for India Cements, was "also terminated." Both Satheesh and Kannan were originally contracted until '17. A senior BCCI official said, "Satheesh’s contract was brought to our notice and we were surprised to find that a logistics manager was getting paid Rs 6 lakh ($93,575) monthly. Not just that, even during offseason he used to get the same amount. The appointment raised too many questions." Satheesh received a three-year contract during a working committee in February. As an additional "perk, he was entitled to receive benefits like daily allowance and bonus if announced by the board after a tournament win." The matter was "brought to the notice" of new BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, who "initiated the move to terminate Satheesh’s contract" (INDIAN EXPRESS, 6/7). The PTI reported Indian Cricket Team Dir Ravi Shastri said that his future with the national side after the tour of Bangladesh will "depend on his discussions with BCCI top brass after the series is over." When asked about his future with the national cricket team, Shastri said, "Yes. There is no question about that -- my job is the Bangladesh tour. And after that we'll have to sit and talk. I am not thinking anything ahead. I am thinking Bangladesh, and that's it." Someone who is "known for straight talking, Shastri made it clear that he did not pay heed to people" who perceive him to be close to Srinivasan. Shastri: "I have been (associated) with the BCCI for 35 years. During that period of time, including my broadcasting career, I might have gone through 10, 12, 13 [BCCI] presidents. Okay, let me tell you one thing: I am a guy with my own mind. And I am my own man. And I live for cricket" (PTI, 6/5). In a separate piece, the PTI reported BCCI Anti-Corruption Chief Ravi Sawani has resigned "citing personal reasons." Thakur said that his resignation has "been accepted." Sawani will now "serve a one month notice period." Sawani "set up BCCI's anti-corruption unit" in '12. He reportedly "wanted to quit in April but was asked to carry on until the end" of the Indian Premier League tournament (PTI, 6/5).
PAKISTAN FOLLOWS THE LEAD: The PTI reported taking a cue from the BCCI, the Pakistan Cricket Board is also "planning to revamp its cricket committee by including former greats in it." A PCB source said that a meeting of the Board of Governors was "scheduled in Lahore on June 13 in which approval would be sought for including former players on the cricket committee" (PTI, 6/7).
