BCCI to discuss ICL issue on Wednesday

The appointment of a new coach of the Indian cricket team and the tussle with the breakaway Indian Cricket League will come up for discussion when top BCCI officials meet on Wednesday.

The BCCI and the ICL, a brainchild of Subhash Chandra-owned Essel Group, have been engaged in a vicious war of words over the last few days and the Board officials are expected to deliberate at length on the issue.

"It is not listed in the agenda but the matter will come up for discussion. The BCCI will deliberate on all the aspects of the League and formulate a strategy," a BCCI source said.

With the ICL stepping up its efforts to rope in star players, the BCCI had last week threatened to impose life bans on those who joined the rebel league.

The top brass of the Board may also decide on taking action against Kapil Dev who has aligned with the rebel body despite being the chairman of the National Cricket Academy.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar has already said that withdrawing Kapil Dev's retirement benefits would be discussed at the Special General Body Meeting to be held in Mumbai on August 21.

The officials are expected to draw up a time frame for appointing a new foreign coach, a post which has remained vacant since Greg Chappell's exit following the World Cup fiasco.

The BCCI has sent a communication to Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and England Cricket Boards with its requirements for the position.

"Once BCCI gets the names, it would consult the three-member selection panel appointed for the purpose and finalise the coach", the source said.

The officials will also discuss on expediting the process of launching the BCCI website, a project which has gathered dust for long, and appointing a long-term media manager for the team.

Unlike other Test playing nations, the Indian team does not have a media manager and appointments are made on short-term basis on tours or the administrative manager doubles up.

The protracted legal battles with former Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya and the recent reprieve given to him by the Kolkata High Court was also expected to be discussed.