Bindra's wishlist
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One of the most fascinating genres of history is alternative history,where historians ask “What if?” What if Hitler had attacked the middleeast instead of Russia? What if Mahatma Gandhi had chosen the freemarketer, C Rajagopalachari, as his successor instead of socialistJawaharlal Nehru? And in terms of cricket, we might well ask: what ifIS Bindra had won the power struggle with Jagmohan Dalmiya in the mid-1990s and become the decision-maker in Indian cricket?That last question is no frivolous one. Bindra and Dalmiya hadtogether begun a process of modernising the BCCI in the early 1990s,and Dalmiya is today given credit for bringing commerce into Indiancricket, and making the board the richest in the world. Yet, is thatthe whole story? Bindra, the man who has made Mohali such a hugesuccess story as a venue for international cricket, points to Mohali,and the contrast it makes to the rest of India. “[The stadium at]Mohali has one-third the capacity of [Eden Gardens] Kolkata and makesthree times the money”, he tells me. “What does that tell you?”We are standing by the practice nets at Mohali, and Bindra is minglingwith the journalists, making sure that they get refreshments and arelooked after. Impeccably dressed, he is sophisticated but not asophist, and he speaks crisply, without the jargon and cliches thatbureaucrats often pepper their conversation with. One more thing: herefuses to say anything negative about his old rival, Dalmiya, despitebeing asked about him.He isn’t averse to expressing his dissatisfaction with the way Indiancricket is being run, though. And without saying it in so many words,he implies that too much of the credit for getting big money intoIndian cricket is given to one man.”Madhavrao Scindia was the board president in 1993,” he tells me,”when we first sold TV rights to TWI. Jaggu [Dalmiya] and I persuadedhim to do so. And then, when we won the battle over uplinking in 1994,I was board president. That’s when the money started coming in toIndian cricket, and the graph has gone up steadily since then.””So what would you have done differently had you continued running theIndian board?” I ask. He looks at me keenly, as if to guage if I ambeing mischevious, or really want to know. Then he opens up, andbegins listing out the items in the to-do list that never was.Bindra’s Wishlist: One – Break out of the honorary system
The BCCI is run by honorary office bearers, who have day jobs thatkeep them busy, and Bindra would like to see it professionalised. “Setup a board of directors, hire full-time executives, led by a CEO, whoare accountable, and the system will run beautifully.”I ask him why he didn’t make this transition when he was president.”I tried,” he says, “And [AC] Muttiah tried as well,when he was president. But vested interests came in our way.””You mean the state associations,” I ask. “But why do they oppose it?””Oh, they are scared that if a professional structure is established inthe BCCI, it will percolate to the state associations as well, andtheir power will be affected.””So will this ever change,” I ask. “If the state associations, whocontrol the BCCI with their votes, are going to keep blocking thesemoves, what’s the solution?””In a democracy,” says Bindra, “you have to take the people along. Andthe state associations be convinced. After all, it is intheir benefit also. Once they see what they are gaining from it, theywill surely agree.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Two – The BCCI should start a TV Channel
“India is the hub of world cricket,” says Bindra, “and we shouldexploit that. Why sell the TV rights if we can exploit them ourselves?We should start a TV channel. And I have a blueprint for how it wouldrun.”First, we would show 100 days of international cricket in India. Letthe world come here to play. Look at the American sports, they don’tgo out of the US to play baseball, so why do we have to go out all thetime to play cricket?””That’s 100 days of international cricket,” I say. “What about therest of the year?” And that takes us to the next two points onBindra’s wishlist.Bindra’s Wishlist: Three – Promote domestic cricket
“It is not fair,” says Bindra, “that international cricketers make somuch money when domestic cricketers get just a lakh a year. Now, whyhas Sachin become such a star? It is because his face is seen on TVall the time. Before the days of television, great players did notmake so much money. Television makes the difference, and that is whywe need to promote domestic cricket, to get local cricketers on TV.”I find it ridiculous that people in India watch US college basketballon TV – basketball, mind you – and don’t watch theRanji Trophy final.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Four – Start an international league
“We should start a league like the European soccer leagues,” saysBindra. “Build it around cities or states, and a fierce localfollowing will develop. Invite international players. With theaudiences in India, it can reach the level of European soccer.”It can be bigger than international cricket.”Bindra says that Lalit Modi, who currently runs cricket in Rajasthan,made a proposal just like this recently, planning to get scores ofinternational cricketers at Rs1crore each. The feasability ofinvesting that kind of money was arrived at after talks with a certainTV channel. All the loose ends were tied up, but the BCCI vetoed hisidea. “Vested interests again,” says Bindra.Bindra’s Wishlist: Five – Get into merchandising
“Do you know that the BCCI hasn’t even registered its logo?” saysBindra. He talks of how the Indian colours are valued so highly byfans, and how there is a massive black market in those. Foreign clubs,such as Manchester United, make huge amounts of money throughmerchandising, and Bindra is amazed that the BCCI is not takingadvantage of such a revenue stream.”They haven’t even registered their logo,” he repeats. He shakes his head sadly.Bindra’s Wishlist: Six – Make cricket a spectator sport in India
Isn’t it already? Not quite. Indian grounds are notoriouslyspectator-unfriendly, and the PCA Stadium at Mohali, despite a namethat doesn’t slip easily off the tongue, is a magnificent exception.It is compassionately capitalistic: it takes outstanding care of itsspectators; and it makes pots of money, despite having the cheapestseats around.”Students should be able to come and watch the game without burningtheir pockets,” says Bindra. “At Rs 60 for five days, we sell cheapertickets than any other ground, and we provide the best facilities. Wewant them to come and enjoy themslves. Cricket should be like acarnival.”So how does the PCA make money, then? Well, for one, the hoardingaround the perimeter of the ground sells for much more than at othergrounds. He doesn’t chase sponsors; they come to him and he uses hisposition of strength.And two: corporate hospitality. In India, he points out that the mostexpensive tickets, priced at Rs10,000 or more, are the first to sellout. There is clearly a market here that isn’t being tapped wellenough by the BCCI, but at Mohali, Bindra exploits it to the hilt. Italso allows him to sell the the cheapest seats so, well, cheaply.Bindra’s Wishlist: Seven – Beat Cricinfo
“The BCCI doesn’t yet have a website,” says Bindra, “but we [the PCA]have just started our website. It’s early days yet, but we believethat it will do well, and maybe after a year, we’ll do better thanCricinfo.” He looks at me and smiles. When I’d introduced myself tohim I’d told him that I’m covering this series for the, so he doesn’t know that I also write for Cricinfo.I smile at him and wish him luck.