Sunil Gavaskar asks BCCI to appoint Ravi Shastri, other former cricketers to key roles

Sunil Gavaskar, writing in Mid-Day, argues that Indian cricket governance should benefit from seasoned, cricketing minds in leadership roles. In his latest column, he voices disappointment over how the Ishan Kishan-led East Zone approached the 2026 Duleep Trophy final, noting that the outcome appeared to rely on a first-innings lead rather than a fully contested decider. He maintains that domestic finals ought to be judged on on-field merit and competitive spirit, not tactics that diminish the game's spectacle. The piece's core message is a call for reform at the top of the BCCI. Gavaskar urges the board to consider appointing Ravi Shastri and other former cricketers to senior roles, arguing that experienced voices from the field can help shape governance, coaching, and strategic planning. He casts the suggestion as part of a broader push to bring accountability, transparency, and cricketing insight into administration. While the column does not enumerate a detailed list of names, it positions Shastri as a reference point for the kind of leadership Gavaskar believes could strengthen Indian cricket. The article thus ties a domestic-match controversy to a larger debate about how the BCCI should be run and how former players can contribute to its future.