There has been a rift between BCCI and Star Sports following Virat Kohli’s exclusion from the Asia Cup 2018 squad. According to the reports, Star Sports was upset with Kohli’s absence for the Asia cup that will result in loss of their revenues. Star claims that the ratings sway-up when Kohli comes bats or when he is on the field.
The reports from Mirror says that Star has written to the Asian Cricket Council about the possible breach of argument. There have been some letter exchanges among Star, ACC, and BCCI.
We will severely impact with the absence of Virat- Star
“In our view, this announcement about the absence of one of the world’s best batsmen from Asia Cup, only 15 days before the commencement of the Asia Cup, is a serious dent to us and will severely impact our ability to monetize and generate revenues from the tournament,” Sunil Manohar from Star wrote an E-mail to ACC official Tusith Perera on September 4.
“In light of the ACC’s contractual obligations under the MRA as highlighted above and the serious ramifications on our business on account of the absence of the best available Indian team, we hereby request you to get in touch with BCCI at the earliest to ensure that the ACC’s obligations under the MRA are met,” read the E-mail.
“We would like to bring to your notice that our media rights agreement dated June 29, 2017, with the ACC requires that the ACC ensures that the best available teams from each participating nation, including India, should form a part of the Asia Cup.
“It is apparent from the media advisory issued by the BCCI as well statements made to the media by the chairman of the senior selection committee (MSK Prasad) that Virat Kohli has been rested despite him being available
“Virat Kohli has been the most prolific run scorer in world cricket in the recent past. His presence in the Indian team and his aggressive captaincy has a dramatic impact on the outcome of each event,” the Star official maintained,”.
The reply from BCCI
“Kindly note that the team selected by BCCI selection Committee (an expert body comprising of former cricketers) to participate in the Asia Cup as announced on 1 September 2018 is the best available team,” replied BCCI’s CEO Rahul Johri.
“Please also take note that selection of the best available team for participation in a tournament is the sole prerogative of the selection committee of BCCI. It is not open for Asian Cricket Council or its broadcaster to insist on the selection of any particular player and/or to question the expert opinion of the Selection Committee as to which is the best available team for a particular tournament.
“Needless to add, this email is being issued without prejudice to BCCI’s rights and contentions in law, all of which are expressly reserved,” he concluded.
Further, in a letter to Star, the ACC official Tusith Perera has confirmed that the absence of Virat Kohli from Asia Cup squad as not a infringement of the agreement.
