Rahul Dravid’s path to the top position at the National Cricket Academy had a big hurdle cleared after the Committee of Administrators ruled that the former India batsman has no case of conflict of interest.
Dravid, who is set to take over as the head of cricket at the Bangalore centre, was slapped with a notice by the BCCI ethics officer, in response to a complaint, where it was brought to notice that apart from being NCA director, Dravid was also coach of the Under-19 and A teams, as well as a vice-president at the N Srinivasan-chaired India Cements, owners of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
The CoA members along with the BCCI management met Dr Simon Longstaff and Mr Cyril Shroff for a lecture on the subject of everyday ethics. pic.twitter.com/XiLPHhktbi
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 13, 2019
However, Lieutenant General Ravi Thogde, the newest member of the committee, said that Dravid’s appointment had been cleared by the CoA and it was now up to BCCI ombudsman Justice DK Jain, a former judge at the Supreme Court of India, to decide on the matter.
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“There is no conflict [in] Rahul’s case. He has got a notice and we have cleared his appointment,” Thogde said, following a CoA meeting on Tuesday, August 13. “We had seen no conflict, but if the ombudsman finds any conflict, we will give our response to the ombudsman, stating why we found no conflict. After that, he [ombudsman] has to consider. It’s a process and it will continue.”
Dravid has already filed his response to Jain, but it not clear yet if he has resigned from his position at India Cements. According to reports, Dravid did not give up the position and instead chose to go on leave without pay.
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Nonetheless, Thogde looked forward to Dravid coming on board at the academy, which he said needs to be of international standards. “There are a few things that need to be done at the NCA. There is shortage of grounds and staff, including coaches. There has to be continuity.
“Someone of Dravid’s stature will have to ensure that the NCA is of international standard. He has given his vision and we are fully in support of his vision. We will work together.”
