Schedule won’t be disrupted despite complimentary policy fiasco, reveals Vinod Rai

After BCCI’s revised constitution had created a stir in the domestic cricket circuit with the cricket associations unwilling to obey the rule of categorizing 90% of their tickets for public sale and only 10% as complimentary, it took an ugly turn only when Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) cited the issue to opt out of hosting second ODI and Visakhapatnam got the rights.

It was then the severity of the debate came to the public eye and the predicament of the cricket associations was fully realized. However, neither BCCI nor CoA is having any of it with Rai reportedly stating that the sudden major upheaval won’t be causing any hindrances during the matches.

"We've no doubt about the policy. Whether or not any association is able to stage the games, the schedule won't be disrupted. The matches will be held as per the plan," said Rai, reported Mumbai Mirror.

As assuring as that may sound, there have been reports of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) yet to decide their stance on the November 11 T20I. Not only them, but other associations have also called for meetings before a decision is taken. While the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has formed an adhoc committee, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has asked for Rs 10 crore as advance. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), who would host the match of November 4, had also raised an objection that spurred  CoA to halve its own quota of complimentary tickets. 

With the other associations still complaining that the sanctioned complimentary tickets wouldn’t be enough for them, Rai also revealed that the body has a back plan in place to deal with such situations.

“We've back-up plans ready. Our professional team of Rahul Johri, Hemang Amin and Saba Karim are working towards this.

"These associations have given compliance to the new constitution and now how can raise objection to the policy that has been clearly outlined the new constitution," Rai asked and reiterated that the matches will happen come what may. "We have associations willing to host the games. The schedule won't be disrupted," added Rai.