Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary opening batter and definitive voice of Indian cricket, has issued a bold manifesto for the future of the sport’s administration in the country. In a move that has sent ripples through the corridors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gavaskar has publicly urged the national cricket board to dismantle its current, narrow approach to administrative oversight and replace it with a high-powered, star-studded Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) that wields significant influence over the direction of the game.
A Vision for Reform and Renewal
The current structure of the CAC has long been viewed as a procedural necessity rather than a strategic powerhouse. Traditionally tasked only with the high-stakes responsibility of appointing the national head coach and selecting national selectors, the committee—most recently consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik—has operated in a functional silo. However, amidst persistent ambiguity regarding the current status and longevity of the committee, Gavaskar argues that the BCCI is missing a golden opportunity to leverage the collective wisdom of India’s most iconic former players.
Writing in his syndicated column for Mid-Day, the former captain laid out a roadmap that would see the CAC evolve into an advisory board with a comprehensive mandate. “There are no longer any committees in BCCI today apart from the selection committees and the CAC,” Gavaskar observed. “Perhaps the time has come to expand the CAC and its brief of selecting the selectors and coach, and also look at fixtures—domestic and international, and all things related to Indian cricket.”
The Titans of the Game: A Proposed Dream Team
The most striking element of Gavaskar’s proposal is the caliber of personnel he envisions for this revitalized body. Rather than relying solely on administrative appointees, Gavaskar suggests a “who’s who” of Indian cricket royalty. His list of potential candidates for a revamped advisory panel includes Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag.
By injecting this level of pedigree into the board’s decision-making process, Gavaskar believes the BCCI would not only gain tactical and developmental insights but also command immediate respect throughout the global cricketing fraternity. “There are some incredibly experienced former cricketers whose expertise can be utilised to be on this committee,” he stated. Under his proposed framework, the President and Secretary of the BCCI would sit alongside these legends, creating a hybrid of administrative oversight and cricketing brilliance.
Redefining Domestic Standards and Authority
Gavaskar’s push for a broader mandate is deeply rooted in his ongoing frustration with the current state of Indian domestic cricket. The impetus for this commentary was the recent Duleep Trophy final, where the outcome was decided by a first-innings lead—a rule that has long been a lightning rod for criticism. By empowering an elite committee to oversee scheduling and structural policies, Gavaskar believes that the board could more effectively address outdated practices that hinder the development of domestic talent.
The weight of authority is a recurring theme in his argument. Gavaskar contends that when a panel comprised of legends like Tendulkar or Dravid sits down to deliberate with the national team captain, the head coach, or the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), the conversation carries “heft beyond measure.” Such a structure would provide a bridge between the legends of the past and the challenges of the present, ensuring that policy decisions are informed by those who have navigated the highest pressure environments the sport has to offer.
Gender Equality in Governance
Crucially, Gavaskar’s vision does not stop at the boundaries of the men’s game. He strongly advocated for a parallel, mirror-image structure for women’s cricket. With the rapid evolution of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the increasing competitiveness of the Indian women’s team on the international stage, Gavaskar believes that a dedicated advisory body composed of experts and former players is vital for long-term growth.
“A similar committee for women’s cricket, too, where experience and expertise meet to take calls to take Indian cricket forward,” he wrote, emphasizing that the development of the women’s game requires the same high-level strategic attention as the men’s side.
The Dream of an Institutional Shift
While the suggestion is visionary, it remains to be seen whether the BCCI will embrace such a dramatic shift in its governance. The transition from a reactive board to a proactive, committee-driven organization would represent a seismic change in the way Indian cricket is managed.
Gavaskar concluded his appeal with a touch of vulnerability, acknowledging the monumental nature of his proposal. “Just thinking about this gives one the goosebumps. Will it ever happen, or is it just a dream?” Whether the board chooses to act on these recommendations or keep them in the realm of debate, Gavaskar has successfully ignited a critical conversation about professionalizing the administration of Indian cricket. For a nation that views cricket not just as a sport, but as a cultural institution, the idea of having its greatest icons helping to steer the ship from the boardroom is a prospect that will surely dominate the discourse in the coming months.
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