After another conflict of interest controversy erupted following a paper's claim of VVS Laxman having shares in Anil Kumble's company, BCCI has issued a clarification on the same. The Indian cricket board stated that Laxman sold the shares, which he held in Kumble's company, Tenvic Sport, before joining the three-member cricket advisory committee, which interviewed candidates for the post of Team India's coach.
In response to the article which claimed the stylish former India batsman held shares in Kumble's company, BCCI issued a release, which read, "Mr Laxman informed BCCI that he had sold his total shareholding of 5% in Tenvic Sport in the month of March 2016 and also declared that he no longer held any shareholding or any official or unofficial position in Tenvic Sports."
"This took place prior to the commencement of the operations of this Committee. Mr Laxman was therefore in no position of a conflict of interest at the time of selection of the head coach of Indian cricket team. All assumptions and conclusions to that effect are therefore erroneous," the release further added.
The newspaper article had alleged that Laxman was the second-largest shareholder in Tenvic Sports Education Private Limited, and that he held 33,332 shares in the company of the current India coach. It further claimed that Laxman was entitled to a huge amount of money via incentives and bonus.
Kumble himself was questioned about his conflict of interest as he owns a company. He however stated that all the issues have already been discussed with the BCCI. "Whatever needs to be done will be done before I take up this role officially. That has been discussed, and it has been clear with the BCCI as well," the India coach told the media last week.
The selection process of India's coach has been mired controversy ever since Ravi Shastri, one of the strong contenders to take over the post, made his presentation in the absence of Sourav Ganguly, one third of the advisory committee. He made his displeasure hitting out at the former captain, stating he should have been present for the interview. Ganguly gave it back by saying that Shastri himself was holidaying in Bangkok when he had to make such an important presentation. It may sound bad for Indian cricket, but we definitely haven't heard the last of it yet.
--By A Cricket Analyst
