BCCI relieved as SC releases funds for the series opener at Rajkot

The Supreme Court has released funds amounting to Rs. 58.66 lakh to the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) for the smooth conduct of the first Test between India and England which commences from tomorrow in Rajkot.

The news comes as a relief to the Indian cricket fans who were left in a state of bother after the Board Cricket Control in India (BCCI) stated that the match would be cancelled if funds were not released. The apex cricketing board consequently moved to the Supreme Court seeking permission regarding the issue of unavailability of funds.

“If funds are not released there won’t be a cricket match tomorrow and it may be cancelled,” BCCI lawyer Kapil Sibal had told the Supreme Court this morning.

The court had last month ruled that disbursal of funds to state associations would be on hold till BCCI president Anurag Thakur and the 13 state associations in the country promised to implement reforms proposed by the Lodha Committee.

The counsel for the Lodha panel Gopal Subramanium argued that the BCCI or Board of Control for Cricket in India is in breach of the court’s order of October 21. He said funds can’t be released till the BCCI and state boards comply with the changes proposed by the Lodha Committee and endorsed by the top court.

“Even if we (BCCI) are in breach of the court’s directions, let Lodha Committee disburse the funds,” Mr Sibal had pleaded.

Both the Indian and the English team are already in Rajkot for the first Test.