The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee has been making headlines with their ongoing battle as the panel wants the board to implement all recommendations, but the BCCI are not too keen. Amidst all this, the IPL 2017 has come in real danger, as key preparations are yet to begin for the tournament.
The hearing on the case was to take place on December 5, but was adjourned until the 9th of the month, making things difficult for the BCCI. Around four months are left for IPL 2017 to start, but they have not got the ball rolling on key aspects such as even the opening ceremony. Besides, major logistics also need to be planned for the competition.
The opening ceremony has always been a glitterati-studded affair, with some popular Indian and international stars performing on stage. But the BCCI may already be running short of time on the matter.
"The (Lodha) committee was asked to appoint an auditor and set threshold limit for contracts. The board even requested the committee for a meeting. But nothing has moved," The Times of India quoted a BCCI official as saying.
"I hope the committee doesn't expect us to call some DJ Sunny from Bhatinda (pun intended) to perform at the opening ceremony. And if the BCCI needs to match its own standards set in the past for IPL, it needs time to work on things. Given the present uncertainty, the tournament is in real danger."
The IPL has been a global event, and is now one of the most popular leagues around the world. For the ninth edition to be a success, preparations have to begin soon. In this context, the December 9 hearing becomes all the more important.
