Even as the Indian men's cricket team enjoys an authoritative run across the international arena, veteran legend Sunil Gavaskar has highlighted key structural gaps that require urgent administrative attention. Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rethink the structural purpose and scope of its Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). According to him, modern cricket governance requires a much more robust advisory setup capable of guiding major sporting decisions.
The former opening batter suggested that the CAC panel needs a broader reach so that Indian cricket can leverage the extensive knowledge of the country's most celebrated former players. Gavaskar raised this concern shortly after expressing disapproval over East Zone's approach in the Duleep Trophy final, where Ishan Kishan's side secured the title courtesy of a first-innings lead. Gavaskar has previously voiced deep frustration over this particular tournament rule.
The Existing CAC Mandate and Operational Ambiguity
The appointments to the BCCI advisory body took place back in 2022, when a three-member panel featuring Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshana Naik was put in place. Traditionally, the primary brief of this committee has been to interview and select candidates for the national selection committee and the head coach position. However, there remains lingering uncertainty regarding whether this committee continues to function in its current framework or has effectively lapsed.
Expanding Remit to Domestic and International Calendars
Gavaskar argues that the BCCI should expand the committee's jurisdiction well beyond routine interview assignments to encompass wider strategic areas, including domestic schedules and international touring calendars. Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Gavaskar observed that apart from selection panels and the advisory committee, no other specialized committees currently exist within the BCCI, making it the right moment to enlarge the CAC's brief.
Calling for Iconic Names to Lead Cricket Strategy
Gavaskar advocated for integrating celebrated stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly into this advisory council. Detailing his vision, he wrote,
"What about names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, to name just a few? The president and secretary will also be there."
Gavaskar emphasized that involving figures of Tendulkar and Dravid's stature in planning India's coaching and player development frameworks would infuse the entire setup with unmatched authority and technical depth.
