BCCI vs Lodha panel: Indian board asks for more time from SC to convince state associations to 'fall in line'

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday asked for more time from the Supreme Court to fall in line and implement the reforms as suggested by the Lodha committee.

The development came as a result of the apex court barring the BCCI from releasing any more funds to its state associations without compliance.

In today's hearing, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur requested for an undertaking on the dates by when the Indian cricket board will adapt to the Justice Lodha Committee’s reforms.

The BCCI managed to get some more time, through its senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who requested the apex court for more time to implement the reforms. While the court has reserved its order, there has been no deadline set for the same.

Today, BCCI president Anurag Thakur also filed an affidavit saying he did not ask the International Cricket Council (ICC) to write a letter to Lodha panel.

Thakur told the apex court that he had not asked ICC CEO Shashank Manohar to state that the appointment of Justice R M Lodha committee would "tantamount to government interference" in the functioning of BCCI.

"I am filing this affidavit pursuant to the order dated October 7, passed by this court on whether I had asked the CEO of the ICC to state that the appointment of Justice Lodha Committee was tantamount to government interference in the working of the BCCI.

"At the outset, it is denied that any such request was put forth by me to the CEO of the ICC," Thakur said in his affidavit.

Thakur said he had taken part in a recent ICC meeting where he had pointed out to the ICC chief that he, as the then BCCI President, had taken a view that Justice Lodha panel recommendation on appointment of a CAG nominee in the apex council would amount to governmental interference and may invoke action of suspension of the Board from the ICC.

(With PTI inputs)