It's incredible how people like CMJ assume some things and go on making judgements. I am sure he doesn't know much about Sharad Pawar at all. He praises Bindra but doesn't want him. But instead, he is for a couple of other guys, whom again he does not seem to know much about going by his description of them. Look, till the mid-90s, the only boards that made money were the ECB and CA, incidentally the boards that were runnning cricket since it started between them. Even ICC did not make much money. The only time ICC made money was when an Indian came aboard on top. There is nothing really to suggest that the game would be worse off than it is now. In fact, the game may even reach greater heights than we could ever imagine. It is a chance worth taking - the alternative being the way things are now and that is not being sure where cricket is at now and where it is heading. May be it will get defined better and we all cricket fans, will be much better for it.

Skot, San Francisco, USA

The moment diplomacy is shed and commentators start airing their personal views & prejudices like this, the first effect is that you lose credibility with your readers. Can you imagine anybody writing such an article on excessive domination by any of the 'white' countries and expecting to be taken seriously? Like the role of US in world politics? Indian cricket administrators have brought in the moolah into the game, into the pockets of other countries' cricket boards! That is good for you, but you can't seem to digest that they could 'lead' cricket from this point on? Try reporting on a cricketing world without Indian participation.

And in any case, the worst Indian politician leader would be better than than his predecessors for this position.

Cheers.

Shakes, Des Moines, USA

Chris: Your views are pretty clear based on the argument that " Too much Power and Money corrupts". your argument is similar to Global Warming- stop everything as a Precautioanry argument. The ICC has not had much success with its current admin- which did include non-Indian participation. It might actually be beneficial as Pawar and Bindra are strong administrators. In addition with the responsibility they would not play a blocker but come up with solutions as the enrollment of the BCCI would already have happened. there is the fear that ICC's agenda will be a BCCI agenda- and that may be true. But we will have to wait and see if indeed that is a bad thing. BCCI is a big backer for 20-20 but is also a big backer for Tests. so that might actually enhance the revenue streams and also the much revered format. They might also improve the way the tests are played and a revamp of the FTP structure. A balanced view would also see the positives and not just feed the paranoia.

sam, new york, usa

I will say this CMJ...you're at least consistent in your position unlike so many other writers on these issues. In any case, I don't think you need to worry too much. Indians usually don't watch domestic games that much and even the ICL is not as popular, especially when there's India matches going on. I'm not sure how big a hit the IPL is going to be. So the international boards need not be too worried.
As far as this constant refrain of "India's power over the global game" is concerned, I have to say that nobody said much when England and Australia ran the game and touring sides to India looked upon the facilities, the people and the conditions with such derisive condescension that you'd think they were visiting a circus for their own entertainment.

Aditya, New York,

Christopher's idea of "best interests" sounds more like "personal interests" and luckily for us, he is not the one to decide what is best and what is not. As others have pointed out in this forum, this only looks like an attempt to change goalposts. The reason is - FEAR. The entire cricketing world survived the Anglo-Aussie domination for decades. It will survive the Indian one too. Cheers!!

Niraj, Dubai, UAE

Mr Martin-Jenkins, surely an experienced person like you would be aware that the domestic viewership for cricket in India is almost zero. Therefore, no country should really bother about "losing" their television rights with India - all they need to do is refuse to toe the line and not play if BCCI tries strong arm tactics. Viewership is bound to decline if Indian teams dont play international opponents.

Therefore, it is downright stupid for cricket boards around the world to submit meekly to Lalit Modi's tactics against ICL while whinging about these tactics and BCCI's clout on the other. The clout largely lies in their own perception.

As for voting Indian into ICC hot seat would be bad - well, for so many years British and Australians were in the hot seat, and how much good came of that? Could they take test cricket beyond ten nations, despite tom-toming endlessly about globalizing the game? Heck, before Jagmohan Dalmiya came to power in ICC, could they even make big profits?

Pratik, Ames, USA

I see a lot of Indians crying foul over here; common who doesn't enjoy power??? But the fact of the matter remains the same, it's not that we non-Indians don't want an Indian running the show, it's the abuse of the power that was shown during the recent Sydney Test fiasco and IPL/ICL war that frightens us. We don't want Indian interest to superced the interest of the beautiful game that we all love. And I agree with John that the main problem is not Bindra but rather it's Powar; give us anyone but him. Cheers!!

Noman Yousuf, Karachi, Pakistan

waaaa, mommy..the Indians are coming

Sagar, seattle, USA

Please, traditionalists? why are you fretting over this non-issue. Wasn't cricket ruled by white folks till date with others having no say in the governance of the game. Get over it. It's all good.

Vj, New York, USA

Thats not fair! BCCI "veto" should be given 40 years too like the brit/aussie junta that ran cricket. Lets not invent a fairness doctrine just as you are losing power. The stranglehold belongs to the the country that generates "two thirds of the cricket's income". Market economy!

Tired of people complaining about test cricket getting effected by IPL/ICL. Whatever people like will survive. The others however sweet the memories of sitting for five days sipping tea would die away. Simple as that!

ravi, seattle,

This an individual's viewpoint, the individual being the well respected CMJ. Disappointing it may be, but it is after all an individual's POV.

Soulberry, India,

Malcolm Speed (ICC CEO) and Malcolm Gray (ICC President 2000-2003):
Such a stranglehold by the country that has been number one in both the Test and ODI cricket rankings could not be in the sport's best interests.

Nishanth Balaji, Irvine, USA

After reading it multiple times, I am still trying to figure out why it would be bad for cricket?

Amit, Cincinnati, USA

I agree 100 % with the article. Only addition I have is it needs to be expanded to NPT, UNSC,CTBT, G7, Amnesty International and every other Indian excluded organizations too. And even to ICC for last few decades.

Vijay, New jersey, USa

OK, the "race imperialism" dominated cricket for much of the 20th century. So how long should the "race revenge" be permitted to continue? At what point should both ends of the world feel satisfied?

I. S. Bindra is a good candidate (much better than Speed, without a day in office himself). The problem is Sharad Pawar, who is an Indian cabinet minister, party chief and BCCI president. He is the man playing power politics for his own sake and not in the game's interest. His background in cricket is 0. If Pawar heads the ICC, that would be a serious problem of him hogging the accolades.

Pawar's election would be the great mistake on part of ICC. Bindra has worked in cricket his whole life, is a visionary and will prove a good executive, so it makes business sense and does good for the game. Pawar is nothing but a politician hungry for as much power as he can buy before the next election in 2009. He is the problem.

John , Birmingham, UK

With new money comes power, but that in no way should be a basis for not having an Indian elected for any position just because it would make them even more powerful.If thats the case then many countries around the world can use that as a precedant to remove for example the USA from its position in the United Nations.There is currently a lot of negative feeling and may I add jealousy of Indias new financial power at the moment,and we supposedly western nations are quick to condemn and judge but embrace India and I am pretty sure that positive support will come from them, possibly because they have learnt all the lessons on how not to be patronising and condesending as we western nations have been in the last century when we held the position they now hold.

joe shah, stanmore,

Christopher, The "Game's best interests" are definitely not as defined by you, or any of the folks that represent ECB. Cricket is not a "global" game as Malcome Speed or other intemperate folks believe...It is easily obvious that the best path forward is to use organizers such as IS Bindra, who would bring in amazing capability to organizing global events. The ICC has, rather undeservedly, had Australian and British executive leadership for time immeorial, and it is for all to see the pathetic development cricket has had over time. It will be a more professional, "equal" game if Bindra were to be the Chief....Some are more "equal" than others, and all your whinging is not going to change any of that.

Chris, New York, USA

I read the article with interest, but after the initial statement that Bindra would be bad for the game because there would be too many Indians in the ICC, the article goes on a tangent about IPL and ICL. It looks as if the article's middle is missing.

Girish Verma, Herndon VA, USA

Interesting to see all these white commentators despairing over the potential imbalance of this "World Game". Where were these concerns when the game was controlled by Brits?

PB, London, UK

arent u guys sick of this already? i'm sure you were cryin hoarse when australia & england had veto power over the icc. or is that ok because they're the "better" countries? give me a break & let your credibility rise for a week before you bring it crashing down all over.

shamoni, viscera town,