Anil Kumble Hits Out At BCCI's Conflict Of Interest Notices, Calls It Unfortunate

Taking a subtle dig at the recent allegations of conflict of interests against his former teammates, former India skipper Anil Kumble has said that every person in every walk of life has some conflict or the other. The legendary leg-spinner said that it is the proper disclosure that is important to avoid such scenarios.

The conflict of interest allegations have been hogging the limelights regularly in recent times. Recently, Rahul Dravid was served with a notice by Justice (retd) DK Jain, the BCCI’s ombudsman-cum-ethics officer, based on an external complaint. Prior to that, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly were also served with the notices.

In Dravid’s case, the complaint pointed out that Dravid was both National Cricket Academy director – as well as coach of the India Under-19 and India A teams – and a vice-president with India Cements, owners of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. In fact, Dravid’s appointment to the NCA had been delayed because he was a paid employee of India Cements.

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On the other hand, the likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman came under the scanner because of their association with IPL teams. All the three players were part of BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee and also served as mentors of different IPL teams.

“I think every profession has conflicts in every walk of life. How you deal with it, how you disclose those prior what you are involved in. I think it is very critical. And once people know that you are involved in so and so, then I don’t think there is any conflict,” Anil Kumble told reporters on Friday.

India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests also expressed his disappointment over this episode. Kumble said that the situation a bit unfortunate as there are only 300 Test cricketers in India and may be only 50 per cent who are still alive.

“There are only 300 as of now and out of 300, I guess 50 per cent of them are living. So, only those can contribute back to the game. If you don’t want them to contribute back to the game, then I think you need to find somebody else to contribute in cricket,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that every cricketer only has to deal with conflict and you know it’s something unfortunate that only a few of them can contribute. There are only a few cricketers who have played for India,” Kumble added.

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