New Delhi, Dec 13: Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday lashed out at the BCCI after his demand of $1 million (Rs 5 crore) per season for media and governing council related activities involving the IPL was turned down by the board's working committee.
"BCCI has made an U-turn on my contract. I am baffled that BCCI has refused to pay me my dues. I am shaken by the reports I have been reading," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar had claimed that he had been assured by former BCCI president Sharad Pawar and Arun Jaitley that the dues would be cleared.
"Sharad Pawar and Arun Jaitley both promised me that my dues will be cleared. Sharad Pawar and Lalit Modi had promised me Rs 4 crore IPL contract after I refused the initial offer," he said.
The issue came up for discussion in Monday's working committee meeting after Gavaskar wrote to BCCI.
"I had requested the BCCI president and he said all 'we needed was a confirmation from Mr Pawar. Pawar then spoke to (Arun) Jaitley who assured me it would come in the meeting."
Gavaskar said he was not worried about this controversy having any impact on his commentary stint.
"I don't see any conflict with contract. These are two completely different things. One is the broadcaster contract and the other is about commitment regarding IPL."
Asked to comment on Anil Kumble's resignation as NCA's chairman, Gavaskar said, "When someone of his (Anil's) credibility speaks about a programme then one should always discuss it properly. You may not agree with him 100 per cent but one should look at what he says.
The legendary opener feels that BCCI should have handled the Kumble issue in a better manner.
"He has played the game at the highest level and has also suffered from injuries. So if he had a plan, it must have been for the benefit of players. The board could have told him that look this is expensive but we can try and make certain adjustments.
"As a chairman of NCA, I use to be in Bangalore attending policy making meetings at the NCA, but I wasn't present there full-time. It would be great if someone is associated with the day-to-day activities of the NCA," Gavaskar said.
Kumble offered his resignation, apparently, after serious differences with top board officials regarding the functioning of NCA.
