India vs England: Anurag Thakur, Ajay Shirke putting entire tour in jeopardy, says Lodha Panel source

New Delhi: Obstinate attitude by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke is putting the entire “England series in jeopardy” said a source close to the Supreme Court-appointed Justice RM Lodha panel. While BCCI is yet to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding the clause pertaining to the financial aspects of the series, citing non-appointment of auditor, the source made it clear that the England Test series will be in a limbo if Thakur and Shirke don’t file their compliance report and appear in person before the panel. [caption id=“attachment_3087240” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of BCCI president Anurag Thakur. AFP[/caption] The source informed that Lodha Panel is still waiting for the affidavits from Thakur and Shirke. “President and secretary as per SC direction have to file affidavits in two weeks and then appear before the committee. They have done neither. President BCCI also has to furnish undertaking to the committee. That has also not been done. In the absence of all this, the England tour is being put in jeopardy by Thakur and Shirke.” In an earlier response, Lodha panel has stated: “The proposed MoU between BCCI and ECB concerns bilateral cricketing policy, the formulation of which is not a part of the mandate of the Committee. As far as payments are concerned, if they are to be made directly by the BCCI, no directions can be given by this Committee until relevant details are furnished by the BCCI.” The first Test between India and England starts on 9 November at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium in Rajkot, with Visakhapatnam, Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai to host the remaining fixtures of the marathon five-Test series. The two sides will then participate in limited-overs contests that includes three ODIs and as many T20Is.