Expressing optimism that the Indian men’s cricket team will win the 2024 T20 World Cup after suffering a loss in the final of the ODI tournament last year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said the squad has a good balance between form and experience.
“The selectors can’t choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary,” he said.
In an exclusive interview, Jay Shah, secretary and key mover and shaker at BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) spoke to Harsh Vardhan Goenka, industrialist and cricket aficionado, at the board’s headquarters at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Shah said the biggest achievement of his tenure so far was holding the 2020 IPL in UAE in the midst of Covid-19. “Olympics, EPL and French Open had already been postponed or cancelled… We demonstrated to the world what BCCI could achieve,” he said.
Asked about the criticism of IPL’s impact player rule by several former and present cricketers, Shah replied, “It’s a test case. We are consulting players, franchisees and all concerned. I feel the matches are getting more interesting, more Indian players are getting a chance to play. If our consultations reveal dissatisfaction, we will change it.”
On whether he thought IPL pitches have become too batting friendly, he said, “I do not quite agree. If you look at the game between LSG and SRH, LSG scored 165/4 in 20 overs. On that pitch, SRH chased the target in around 9 overs without losing a wicket. Pitches are very good, created transparently and overseen by BCCI’s central curator.”
Excerpts from the wide-ranging conversation:
What would you consider some of your achievements at BCCI?
When I took over, my first decision was to strengthen the National Cricket Academy. We have invested more than Rs 250 crore to improve it and we hope to open the world class, new facility this July or August. My biggest achievement in my tenure was holding the 2020 IPL in UAE in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Olympics, English Premier League and French Open had already been postponed/cancelled. We created an isolation bubble within which we conducted the tournament. We demonstrated to the world what BCCI could achieve. We also changed the IPL broadcasting bidding process, separating the TV and digital feeds into separate bids netting us an extra Rs. 5,000 crore (out of a total Rs 48,390 crore). As BCCI’s representative in ICC, I also helped boost our revenue due from ICC. As per the new revenue distribution model (2023-27), BCCI will be allocated a share of 38.5%. In the previous cycle, BCCI’s revenue share stood at 22.4%.
To me, one of your greatest achievements is your encouragement to women’s cricket.
When I decided to create WPL (Women’s Premier League), I had a lot of convincing to do. One of the arguments I used was that 51% of IPL viewership was female. When we had the women’s series against Australia in Navi Mumbai, we made the entrance free and we got a full house. I also insisted on pay parity because this would encourage women to come out and play. After my decision, I am glad to inform you that ICC also announced pay parity in prize money for the Women’s World cup. We have also introduced a sports psychologist for the women’s team and hired Amol Mazumdar as a dedicated coach for them.
What’s next for Indian cricket?
We did really well at the last ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, but the final victory eluded us. I am optimistic that we will bring home the T20 World Cup trophy this year.
How do you see the current form of the T20 team?
It has a good balance between form and experience. The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary.
Which teams, according to you, will be strong contenders at the T20 World Cup?
India, Australia, New Zealand and the hosts, West Indies, because they are good in T20.
It is the second time that India is ranked No. 1 in all three formats (Tests, ODI and T20I). What is your role in this achievement?
As an administrator, I leave the cricketing decision to the experts. In BCCI, we have appointed VVS Laxman to look after NCA and Rahul Dravid as the Indian team coach. So, my job really is to choose the best and support them. I have full faith in them, and I know they are doing a fantastic job.
How do you divide responsibilities between Roger Binny (BCCI president) and yourself?
Roger Binny is the cricketing brain. He is involved in each and every cricketing decision while I look after the administration and finance part. But finally, we do everything together. We have a very transparent and consultative process.
How does BCCI spot talent? It has done some great work in bringing to the fore talents like Yashaswi Jaiswal.
Yes, talents like Yashaswi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh were test cases for BCCI. We empower state associations and give them guidelines to develop infrastructure, and we are searching for talent in all states. If they feel someone can do well for India, we recruit them to NCA. Right now, we have a pool of 50 players. So, if we need to play bilateral cricket with three different countries, we are in a position to do that. In NCA we train them to have all-round development, including helping them in personality development and wealth management.
I am sure you have heard the criticism of the impact player rule in the IPL this year.
It’s a test case. We are consulting players, franchisees and all concerned. I feel the matches are getting more interesting, more Indian players are getting a chance to play. If our consultations reveal dissatisfaction, we will change it.
How about the batting-friendly pitches in IPL? Even Sunil Gavaskar commented they are too one-sided.
I don’t quite agree. If you look at the game between LSG and SRH, LSG scored 165/4 in 20 overs. On that same pitch, SRH chased the target in around 9 overs without losing a wicket. Pitches are very good, created transparently and overseen by BCCI’s central curator.
Is there any other innovation you have introduced for the IPL?
This time we have introduced the ‘smart’ replay feature wherein the third umpire has access to all broadcast cameras operated by dedicated operators. The decision making for umpires and players’ reviews have been much more time efficient due to this. This year we have also added a fast bowling insurance clause in the contract. So, if somebody gets injured, like Mayank Yadav, he will be compensated. We have a mega auction every third year. This will give an opportunity for players to get shuffled, providing different teams the opportunity to win the trophy. Another thing we have introduced is video graphing the entire process of bidding for new teams. It used to be a closed bid. Now all the bids are opened by the bidders themselves, providing complete transparency.
What do you do with all the money BCCI gets?
A large proportion is pumped into state associations to improve their infrastructure and facilities. The major stream of revenues for BCCI is media rights and sponsorship of BCCI and IPL. In the case of IPL, the additional stream is franchise fee from IPL teams. From the revenues that BCCI generates, 70% is given to state associations for grassroots programmes, development of Infrastructure, conducting various tournaments across age groups, junior and senior levels to tap the talent across the length and breadth of the country. Then 26% of revenues are utilised for payment to players by way of retainership and match fees to men’s international players, women’s international players and domestic players. In case of IPL, the revenues are split 50:50 between BCCI and the 10 franchises, while 70% of franchise fee received by BCCI is also given to the associations.
Do you enjoy other sports too?
I love tennis and football. My favourite tennis player is Rafa Nadal who I believe is unbeatable on clay.
Who are your three favourite cricket icons of all time?
Sunil Gavaskar of course, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. From the current crop it’s Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as well.
Which is your favourite IPL team?
As BCCI secretary, I need to remain neutral, but I’m proud of all IPL teams for their unique style and contribution to the league’s success.
Your favourite cricket stadium?
Of course, the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. It is the largest sports stadium in the world with great facilities. I took the responsibility and had the entire stadium built in two-and-a-half years.
What is your management mantra?
Put the right people to oversee the game and at the same time maintain transparency in financial matters. I am also inspired by Swami Vivekanand – ‘Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is achieved’.
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