World's Richest Cricket Board Bans Senior Journo for 'Intimidating' Team India Cricketer - Report
13:34 GMT 04.05.2022 (Updated: 11:44 GMT 10.12.2022)
© AFP 2023 / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE
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Cricketers, who happen to be the biggest sports stars in cricket-crazy India, are also the most sought after individuals in the media, with even senior journalists jostling for their attention at times. But one such scribe landed himself in hot water as he went a bit too far to seek an interview from a national team player.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the world's richest organisation in the sport, on Wednesday banned senior journalist Boria Majumdar for two years for threatening the national team's wicket-keeper batter Wriddhiman Saha, The Indian Express news outlet reported.
Majumdar, a highly popular media personality in the country's sports circles, has written multiple books on cricket, with his most noteworthy contribution being to help legendary Sachin Tendulkar write his autobiography.
In February, Wriddhiman Saha, who last played a Test match in India's whites in December 2021, accused Majumdar of intimidation for not agreeing to give him an interview.
Saha has shared screenshots of WhatsApp chats with the journalist on Twitter and blasted him for remarks that were made after he refused to give him an interview.
After all of my contributions to Indian cricket..this is what I face from a so called “Respected” journalist! This is where the journalism has gone. pic.twitter.com/woVyq1sOZX
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 19, 2022
The allegation prompted the BCCI to set up a committee, comprising vice president of the cricket board Rajiv Shukla, treasurer Arun Dhumal, and Apex Council member Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, to investigate the allegations.
The committee found Majumdar guilty of "bullying" the veteran Indian cricketer, and subsequently announced the ban.
The BCCI's ban on Majumdar means that he will no longer receive press accreditation for cricket matches in the country. Moreover, he's now barred from approaching centrally contracted players for interviews.
The author of "Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians" will also have no access to BCCI's facilities, including its state units.
To put it simply, cricketers and cricket will now become a "no-fly zone" for him.
The committee found Majumdar guilty of "bullying" the veteran Indian cricketer, and subsequently announced the ban.
The BCCI's ban on Majumdar means that he will no longer receive press accreditation for cricket matches in the country. Moreover, he's now barred from approaching centrally contracted players for interviews.
The author of "Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians" will also have no access to BCCI's facilities, including its state units.
To put it simply, cricketers and cricket will now become a "no-fly zone" for him.
