Did Vinod Rai give a free hand to Kohli & Shastri? Here's his answer

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) bid goodbye to their roles after 33-long-months as former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly took over the reins of the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). The Vinod Rai-led CoA, which was supposed to make its exit in 2017, faced a lot of ups and downs during their tenure including some controversial matters that put them in a very tough spot. Vinod Rai, the chief of the CoA, expressed happiness in Sourav Ganguly taking over as the BCCI President and said that there was no better leader than Sourav Ganguly who can spearhead the BCCI and Indian cricket. 

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Vinod Rai answers if he gave 'free hand' to Kohli & Shastri

The CoA has faced flak for allegedly giving a free hand to skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri and have been questioned on various occasions about the same. Responding to the allegations, Vinod Rai questioned why the coach and the captain cannot be given a free hand in cricketing matters. In addition to this, Vinod Rai added that the CoA had made its stance clear and had clarified that it will not interfere in the selection process and other cricketing matters. Vinod Rai also refused to divulge into the details of the fallout between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble and said that he respected Anil Kumble as a cricketer and as a coach and that he did not want to comment on the issue.  

"Well, much can be said about it (allegation). If the head coach and the captain of the team are given freehand, in cricketing matters, what's wrong with that? I was very clear that we won't interfere in the selection process and the cricketing matters", said Vinod Rai

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CoA dissolved as Sourav Ganguly takes over

In an obvious and logical conclusion, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators will be dissolved the moment Sourav Ganguly-led new BCCI team takes charge as office bearers on Wednesday. Though the terms and conditions were already clearly spelled out by the COA on the date of announcement of BCCI elections by the COA, it was officially confirmed by the Supreme Court in its order on Tuesday. In a significant decision, the Supreme Court also directed that "no case would lie against the members of the CoA in respect of any action taken by them as members of CoA in good faith, without the leave of the Court." This is subject to interpretation but prima facie it would mean that none of the COA members can be held responsible for their action and decisions are taken and it would not be binding upon the BCCI and State Associations to implement anything related to policy matter of the BCCI outside the ambit of their terms of reference

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