The recent BCCI nominations seem to have Mumbai Cricket Association, Maharashtra Cricket Association, and Vidarbha Cricket Association in a precarious position, stripped of their former glory. Once stalwarts of Indian cricket, these associations seem to have lost their formidable clout. The absence of heavyweight leaders like Sharad Pawar and Shashank Manohar, who used to wield significant influence over the ICC and BCCI, is palpable.
The MCA, once the epicentre of marquee matches, appears to be facing challenges in hosting top-tier events. The women’s World Cup schedule is a telling example — key matches are being held at DY Patil Stadium at Nerul. The Wankhede Stadium, a stalwart of Indian cricket, has hosted numerous high-profile matches, including the iconic 2011 World Cup final and the 2023 World Cup semi-final. While it continues to be a prominent venue, speculation is rife that the MCA may not secure the allocation of a high-profile match like the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final. This raises questions about Mumbai’s waning influence and the MCA’s ability to attract top-tier events.
To address this, the MCA could focus on strengthening its leadership and governance. At the upcoming MCA elections scheduled (November 12), the association’s members should ensure a competitive process, preventing candidates from getting elected unopposed, thereby safeguarding their right to elect the Apex Council members of their choice. If this does not happen, they may be rendered powerless by their own acquiescence. The upcoming elections and the naming of the two new foot overbridges that cross the railway tracks and connect the Wankhede Stadium to the Churchgate area will be revealing.
Time will tell if the MCA administration prioritises honouring cricket legends, who have devoted their entire cricketing careers to Mumbai, or succumb to the allure of vote power politics.
The writer was MCA’s Hon Treasurer before the last elections in 2022.
The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper.