MCA's stern action in store for Cricket Club of India?

MCA vice-president Ravi Savant

Cricket Club of India (CCI) could face stern action from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) if they do not reply to a letter sent by them by the D'Road body.


MCA vice-president Ravi Savant

There is also a possibility of the prestigious club being banned from participating in MCA tournaments, mid-day has learnt. MCA on June 6, dashed off another letter to the CCI asking them to reply to their earlier letter. It has given them 15 days' time to revert or face serious repercussions.

No Objection Certificate
After the Board of Control for Cricket in India allotted Brabourne Stadium the Indian Premier League-7 Eliminator on May 28, MCA sent a letter to CCI asking whether they had procured a No Objection Certificate from them in order to host the tie.

While MCA maintains that CCI comes under their jurisdiction, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel had told mid-day (in it's May 15 edition) that CCI does not come under the MCA ambit. "CCI is a full member of the Board. As per our rules, CCI's ground (Brabourne Stadium) is their jurisdiction. They do not come under the MCA," Patel had said.

An MCA source said: "The Managing Committee (which met on Saturday) unanimously thinks that the CCI should be banned from taking part in MCA tournaments."

However, MCA vice-president Ravi Savant said a final decision is yet to be taken. "We sent them a letter on June 6. We will wait for 15 days for a reply. It depends on what they state in their reply. We will think about taking any action - if necessary - depending on their reply," Savant, who is also a BCCI vice-president, told mid-day yesterday.

CCI to reply soon
A CCI insider said they will reply to the MCA's letter in a few days. "We are all for the development of Mumbai cricket. We have always given our facilities free of cost to the MCA whenever required. If we were awarded the match by the BCCI, how can we not host?"