Finally someone saying what was in everyone’s mind
Cricket: Gilchrist worried over Indian monopoly
ADAM GILCHRIST has warned against allowing the Indian cricket authorities to become too powerful in the world game.
The wicket-keeper ended his international career in disappointing fashion as Australia were beaten 2-0 in the Commonwealth Bank Series finals by India.
That brought to an end a stormy summer of cricket between the two countries, which has been dogged by controversy – most notably the race row between India’s Harbhajan Singh and Australia’s Andrew Symonds.
Spinner Harbhajan was originally found guilty of racially abusing Symonds, but was ultimately acquitted on appeal and given a fine for a lesser offence.
Many in Australia were unhappy with the way the process was handled and specifically the role of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who threatened to withdraw from the tour if the appeal did not go their way.
Gilchrist believes there is a possibility the Indian authorities could become too powerful.
He said, “We know the power they are and the way they’re happy to flex their muscles and we must pay attention to that.
“Hopefully that’s controlled and we can make sure the game’s healthy throughout the world.”
He added, “I think both teams were very, very relieved that the series finished.
“It was tough work. It wasn’t the most enjoyable summer we’ve been involved with – all the issues on and off the field.
“There’s all this talk about India becoming the power of the world and dominating world cricket.
“I have faith in that group that, yes, they have rushed at great speed over the last 10, 15, 20 years to the top of the tree in the administrative and financial stakes.
“There’ll be a lag time to catch up and lets hope that everyone can combine together to realise that, for the good of the game, it can’t be a monopoly.
“We’ve got to administrate well and I believe that will happen and I think the BCCI will acknowledge that and tie that with the Twenty20 and where world game of cricket is.”
Twenty20 will feature prominently for Gilchrist as he prepares to take part in the inaugural Indian Premier League.