Dadagiri by BCCI – curtain raiser !
Rajat Subhra Chatterjee
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Today, the opinion of Board of Control for Cricket in India is the ultimate in world cricket fraternity in many ways. No one has got the guts to say anything against any Indian move as India holds sway in all the important issues. That BCCI is the richest cricket board world over, notwithstanding, even the iconic work done by Anil Kumble as Chief of International Cricket Council Cricket Committee and recent selection of Sourav Ganguly as the replacement of Anil Kumble in the same chair for next nine years, also notwithstanding, Indian Cricket Board to day has the last laugh in many ways. It is not surprising that Indian Business houses today practically rule the financing of the world cricket by sponsorship through various modes.
But things were not the same. India had to really earn this status step by step, after being pushed to the wall and after hectic behind the scene drama that took place since 1983. Cricket was simply thrown into a civil war. England was thrown out of its power position and India started becoming a Cricketing Super Power. Political and strategic masterstrokes ultimately brought the entire cricketing power to India gradually.
Yes 1983. India was in the World Cup Final. That India sailed into the finals beating England in the semi final was too much of a shock for the English to accept. That India went on to win the finals beating West Indies is another story. But much before the final began, a play got enacted which changed the very face of world cricket. And that too Just for Two Tickets.
Yes, Just for Two Tickets. A tale of outsmarting ! Outmaneuvering ! Outwitting !
The then Central Education Minister of India, Siddharta Shankar Ray reached London just before the finals on a pre-planned trip. He toyed with the idea to grab the golden opportunity to see the World Cup Finals. And he approached his fellow colleague in the cabinet NKP Salve who happened to be the BCCI President at that time for two more tickets. Salve said – no problem and he asked the organizing committee for two additional tickets. And what he was replied ? “ You have been given two tickets. That’s all. Additional tickets can not be given.”
Imagine. Indian Cricket Board President was asking for two tickets and he was refused ! In those days, MCC used to run English Cricket and by practice, MCC Chairman used to become ICC Chairman automatically. Truth is stranger than fiction !!
Strangely though, as England was not playing the finals, most of the Box Office seats were empty, yet two tickets could not be given to the Indian Board Chief ! That was it. This one refusal altered the entire structure of world cricket. This broke the unholy monopoly held so far by England to host Cricket World Cup in England. This one indecision brought the English pride to dust breaking the hegemony. And who took the initiative ? NKP Salve and Indian Govt. A chartered accountant by profession, that day, Salve decided to try to take the World Cup out of England. It was in vengeance. Just for two tickets.
Then, England along with Australia had the Veto power to anything that would be proposed in ICC by India or any other country. India at that time had no political clout, neither any strategic alliance with other cricketing super power. Yet NKP Salve started from the very next day. In the informal luncheon, hosted by ICC before the finals, Salve met in privacy, Air Marshall Noor Khan the Pakistan Board Chief along with Sri Lankan Board Chief and in a casual conversation just mentioned – “ how good it would be if the next world cup could be organized in Asia !” Noor Khan opined “why can’t we play World Cup in our own country?” To this Salve responded, how about India Pakistan jointly hosting the next World Cup ! This was a light-hearted conversation what sowed the seeds.
They agreed. It was impossible then that India and Pakistan would be joining hands for a common cause. But those impossibilities having been sorted out, it became clear that neither India nor Pakistan had the basic infrastructure and financial means to host such a magnum event.
Salve returned to India with the victorious Indian team which was felicitated by Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi. During the felicitation, Salve in an informal chat with Mrs. Gandhi informed her about the humiliation he was meted out in England and expressed his desire to co host the next world cup with Pakistan. But they had no money. Mrs. Gandhi listened to her colleague carefully and nodded.
Next day, Dhirubhai Ambani was in the Prime Minister’s office. She asked Dhirubhai to help financially. Ambani famously responded, “ if you bring the World Cup in India, I will write a blank cheque.” It was though a verbal commitment. So with a blank cheque in his pocket and the Prime Minister backing him, Salve met the Pakistan and Sri Lankan officials in Lahore and disclosed the details. Jagmohon Dalmiya was given the task to draft out a detailed plan.
Acknowledgement : ‘ The Story of the Reliance Cup ’ by Mr. N. K. P. Salve.
Image : Courtesy : Internet
Untold story!!