Players doing commentary alongside other roles can lead to conflict of interest: D K Jain

BCCI ethics officer and former Supreme Court judge D K Jain on Friday said former or active players commentating during tournaments could also amount to conflict of interest (COI) as 'one person one vote' is the soul of Lodha reforms.

After passing the order on Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman's COI, Jain said the two famed cricketers can only choose one of the multiple roles they are performing at the moment.

Ganguly is commentating in the World Cup, heads Cricket Association of Bengal, is a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member and advisor of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.

Laxman too is commentating, is mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad and a CAC member. Last month, Sachin Tendulkar, who is a Mumbai Indians Icon, was cleared of COI after he withdrew from the CAC.

"In Sachin's case it (COI) did not arise as he withdrew from CAC. In these two cases (Ganguly and Laxman), I have given them options, they can decide. I have only said that they can hold one post of their choice," Jain told PTI.

"It is for them to decide, how best they can serve the game of cricket. I have only interpreted the Lodha reforms for future guidance, I have not done anything extraordinary. The soul of Lodha committee recommendations is one person one post, I have just tried to bring it out in writing. Now it is for BCCI to enforce it."
"It is for the players to see whether it would apply to them or not. It was only dealing with these two cases (Laxman and Ganguly). For other players, whether it would apply to them or not apply to them, it is for them to apply their mind. They can read the order and act accordingly."