It is ironic that suspended Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi is asked to answer several charges made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) when the parent body itself seldom displays a sense of accountability. Yesterday, the national selection committee met in Kodaikanal of all places (someone important is on holiday here) to pick the limited overs team for the tour of Zimbabwe. All that the media got was a list of selected players ufffd not a word on why regulars such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh etc don't figure in the squad.

Doesn't the public and media have the right to know why exactly these players were not picked? This particular issue is minuscule as compared to the IPL mess, but it is some indication of the kind of accountability the Board believes in.

Big boast
Officials often boast that since the Board is an autonomous body, they are answerable to no one. They may continue to be, but what a shame! The Board's attitude smacks of arrogance. Chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth does not have to address the Press after every selection meeting like his predecessors. Obviously, the Board did not like the kind of grilling au00a0chairman had to endure before him. While that decision had to be respected, deciding to offer no explanation on big decisions like resting players shows the Board in very poor light.

Back to Modi. However cocky he may appear to some, to a certain degree, he is mindful of media/public needs. And yes, he does know how to play the media chords.

Popularity?
The Board could well win their battle against Modi, but that doesn't guarantee a rise in popularity stakes. Some reckon the image factor won't matter to them though.

Its coffers have grown enormously and with it egos and skin. The fangs of course are reserved for administrators like Modi, who despite all vilification can be proud of what he has done with the IPL. Sure, cricket's greatest money-spinner has to have more emphasis on the bat vs ball battle, but there will be doubts whether Shashank Manohar & Co can put up a great show from Season Four. That's if Modi and crew lose ground of course.