South Africa tour: Bonhomie, but no decision

The much-awaited meeting between Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat and Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Patel at the ICC’s chief executive committee meet in Dubai turned out to be a damp squib. It was more of a formality and “clearing of misunderstanding” between the two boards rather than finalisation of India’s tour of South Africa.

The fate of the tour still hangs and the CSA has left it for the Indian board to decide after its annual general meeting on September 29.

More than the BCCI, it was Lorgat who expressed happiness and satisfaction. In the media statement, Lorgat said: “I am happy to say that we had a constructive meeting and I would like to thank Sanjay for his friendliness and support in trying to find a way forward.

“After listening to Sanjay, it is clear that we will now have to wait for the BCCI’s AGM to be completed before any tour schedule can be confirmed.”

The BCCI-CSA relationship had strained after “India baiter” Lorgat’s appointment as its CEO. Adding to that was the Indian cricket board’s displeasure at CSA announcement of a long fixture without its consent.

Lorgat stressed on the importance of healthy relationship between the two. “It is key for all of us to make sure that the good relationship between our respective boards is maintained and, in fact, strengthened and that we also honour the proud history between our two countries,” said Lorgat.

The BCCI has always maintained that it has never said no to South Africa tour, however, the tour will have to be pruned to 30 days. “We have never said no.
South Africa tour is certainly on, however, it will be decided after AGM,” said a BCCI official.

“Our board presidents are also in discussion and we will now arrange for them to meet soon after the BCCI AGM,” said Lorgat.