Sunil Gavaskar urges BCCI to make big change, names Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid for key role

Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. (Agency image) Sunil Gavaskar believes the BCCI needs to rethink the role of its Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), suggesting the panel should have a much broader mandate and draw on the experience of some of India’s most famous former cricketers.The former Indian captain’s call comes after he criticized East Zone’s performance in the Duleep Trophy final, where Ishan Kishan’s team settled for the title on the back of a first-innings lead. Gavaskar had previously expressed his displeasure with the rule, which continued to attract criticism over several domestic seasons.According to Gavaskar, the CAC could play a much bigger role in addressing such issues and shaping the future of Indian cricket.

Gavaskar wants bigger role for CAC

The current CAC appointment dates to 2022, when Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik were appointed to the three-member panel. His traditional duties centered on the selection of head coach and national selectors, with the committee also conducting interviews for these positions.However, there is uncertainty as to whether the CAC still exists in its current form or has been disbanded.Gavaskar believes the BCCI should instead expand the committee’s remit to cover wider aspects of the game, including domestic and international scheduling.“There are no committees in the BCCI today except the selection committees and the CAC. Perhaps it is time to expand the CAC and its terms of reference to select selectors and coaches and also look at matches – domestic and international and all things related to Indian cricket. There are incredibly experienced former cricketers whose expertise can be used to be on this committee,” Gavaskar-inDay wrote in his column.He also proposed a star-studded list of former India players who could contribute to such a panel.“What about names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag – to name a few? The President and Secretary will also be there,” he added.

‘It carries the center of gravity beyond measure’

Gavaskar believes bringing former greats like Tendulkar and Dravid into discussions with the Indian coaching and development set-up could bring an extra level of expertise and authority.“When this committee interacts with the coach and the captain and the NCA chief, it carries immeasurable weight. A similar committee for women’s cricket where experience and expertise come together to accept challenges to take Indian cricket forward,” Gavaskar wrote.The former batsman, who also captained India to victory in the 1985 championship, wants the idea to expand beyond the men’s game with a comparable advisory structure for women’s cricket.“Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Will this ever happen or is it just a dream?” concluded.