Dalmiya says he will represent BCCI at ICC meet

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the Board of Control for Cricket in India's interim chief, will attend the ICC Annual Conference in London next week as India's representative.

"I will be attending the ICC executive board, development board and annual conference on behalf of BCCI. It is scheduled from June 27 to 29," Dalmiya told reporters, at the Eden Gardens after the completion of the Cricket Association of Bengal’s Special General Meeting, putting an end to the suspense over the issue.

However, Dalmiya gave an open-ended reply on whether BCCI president N Srinivasan, who stepped aside from the post till investigations into IPL spot-fixing and betting scandals are completed, will also be attending the conference.

Asked specifically whether Srinivasan will also be attending the ICC’s annual conference, Dalmiya gave a vague reply, saying, "Not to my knowledge that Srinivasan is going to the ICC."

With Dalmiya attending all the important meetings during the conference, it looks highly unlikely that Srinivasan will be going to London.

Asked whether he knew about anyone else attending the meeting, he gave another reply which left everyone guessing.

"I don't know, say, for instance, the secretary Mr Sanjay Patel will be attending the working committee meeting."

Patel, it is learnt, will be attending the CEO's meeting.

The veteran administrator said a lot of issues need to be taken into consideration before thinking about uniform implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS).

"Let us reach there and look into it. There are various points, intricacy of those are to be looked into. I want co-operation from all of them."

He stressed that he will have elaborate discussions at the ICC on "cleaning of the game".

Asked whether the issue of "cleansing of cricket" as he had suggested earlier, would be his priority, Dalmiya replied: "Cricket will always happen. It's an issue which is close to the heart of BCCI or anyone connected to cricket."

Seeking cooperation from other nations, Dalmiya said: "(This ICC conference and the issue of fixing) Both are two different points and are interconnected.

"One cannot proceed without other, so cleansing of cricket will always happen and is close to heart of BCCI or anyone connected to cricket."

He looked a bit defiant when asked how he would react if he is pressurised to accept DRS.

"Why would other countries put pressure on us? Can't we create pressure?" he retorted.

With India playing in the ICC Champions Trophy final, Dalmiya said at this point in time he is not thinking about what action should be taken about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's alleged conflict of interest having financial interest in Rhiti Sports.

"Let us wait, game should not be disturbed. My suggestion would be to wait and try to support cricket without thinking what action should be taken."

Image: Jagmohan Dalmiya