Code of silence beckons Indian cricket captain

Code of silence beckons Indian cricket captain
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JULY 18: In A virtual gag order, India's cricket captain will henceforth be barred from talking to the media on his own.

He shall not act or cause any act to be done or be guilty of any act or commission or conduct which may render him or any player of the team unfit or incapable to play in any other matches and shall not without permission of the manager take part in any sports discipline other than cricket.

In consideration of the engagement and in the interests of the team building and of his availability for future selection, the agreement requires the captain not to enter into any agreement to play cricket for any team other than India for a period of 12 months without the written consent of the board.

If the manager's report on the captain is not satisfactory the board may determine the sum payable to him be not paid wholly or in part. The board will be the sole authority in this matter and its decision binding on the captain.

BCCI will have the power to set up a disciplinary committee to take action for any act or misconduct or breach of any conditions in the agreement after holding an enquiry and giving the captain an opportunity to be heard and cite any witness on his behalf.

If found guilty, the captain will be debarred from participating in any tournament conducted by the board besides facing any other punishment the committee may deem fit.

To sell or permit the sale of his autograph or complimentary passes, the agreement says, the captain will need the manager's permission.

Similarly, he will need clearance for appearing at any place of public or private entertainment, participate in making of records or films, appear on television or deliver talks or lectures.

At nets, the captain cannot employ a ground-bowler without the consent of the manager.

One sop for the captain, however, is that the board will take steps to insure him for Rs 5 lakh against air travel risk and injuries during play and accidents on a tour.