With the Board of Control for Cricket in India "threatening to call off the ongoing series between India and New Zealand," the Justice R.M. Lodha-led committee on Tuesday clarified that it did not "direct banks to freeze the accounts" of the BCCI and it carried on "with its routine expenses," according to G. Viswanath of THE HINDU. Fuming at the "defiance of its recommendations," the Lodha panel had “directed” banks, where the BCCI holds accounts, not to disburse “large” funds to the State associations, a decision taken by the BCCI at its Special General Meeting on Sept. 30. However, Lodha said, "We have not frozen the accounts of BCCI, we have directed the BCCI to not disburse funds to the State associations. Day to day affairs, routine expenditure, matches, games, that should go on. There is absolutely no prohibition." The Committee on Tuesday "requested the Yes Bank not to freeze the accounts of the BCCI." This "particular action was taken by the panel following reports that the private sector bank has put the BCCI accounts on a debit freeze status." The BCCI, however, argued that the State associations were dependent "on the parent body" for organizing matches and it was unable to carry on its functioning "in the wake of the latest directive from the panel," affecting its preparations for the coming games in the ongoing series against New Zealand. A senior BCCI official said, "The members are pained at the treatment meted out to them. They are dependent on BCCI’s funds for organizing matches. So far seven associations have communicated their inability to host games in the home season while nine of them have inquired about the matter. If things are the way they are, the series [against New Zealand] could called off by today evening" (THE HINDU, 10/4). TNN's K. Shriniwas Rao reported it is "reliably learned" that both Bank of Maharashtra and Yes Bank "chose to freeze the BCCI accounts on Monday." A senior BCCI official said, "How can we play the Test against New Zealand when we won't have the money to pay their board for the tour? They (Lodha panel) are raising questions over money that belongs to the BCCI and is being distributed to its member associations under its rules and regulations. The match cannot go ahead." A Lodha panel source said, "Wait till October 6 (when the next hearing will be held in the SC). Everything will be sorted out then" (TNN, 10/4). REUTERS' Sudipto Ganguly reported BCCI President Anurag Thakur said that the reputation of the BCCI "has been ruined by the freezing of its bank accounts." He said that the board "would take a decision by the evening on the fate of the ongoing home series against New Zealand, which still has a test and five one-dayers left." Thakur: "Without the funds how do we play? How can we function, how can we make payments to the players and the various stakeholders? We don't even take money from the government and it's our own funds. Our accounts have been frozen without even communicating with us." Sources at the Bank of Maharashtra and Yes Bank confirmed that the accounts "were frozen on Monday night as they waited for more clarity from the panel which was formed last year to assess BCCI operations." The banks "have now lifted the ban." Lodha said, "There is no question of cancellation of any game or series" (REUTERS, 10/4).
NZ CRICKET REACTION: STUFF's Clay Wilson reported NZ Cricket CEO David White said that the national team "will prepare for the third test despite reports" that its tour of India is over. The third test between India and New Zealand looked set to go ahead as planned "following a day featuring as much chaos and confusion as a Kolkata intersection." The Black Caps woke on Tuesday to reports that the tour of India was over because the BCCI's bank accounts "had been frozen." Just a few hours later, both White and Kiwi coach Mike Hesson said that they "were not seriously concerned the reports were genuine and confirmed the team would be heading for Indore on Wednesday as planned." White has been "unable to make immediate contact with the BCCI" over allegations the Black Caps' tour of India has been cancelled (STUFF, 10/5).
