Supreme Court allows BCCI to release funds worth Rs 58.66 lakh for the India vs England Test in Rajkot

The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI) to disburse expenses of Rs. 58.66 lakhs for efficiently hosting the first test of India-England series which begins in Rajkot from Wednesday.

The first test was in trouble earlier as BCCI had asked for the apex court’s intervention with no funds available to pay expenses of the England cricket team. The central cricket board had been barred from releasing funds to state associations without any approval from the Lodha panel.

Also Read: India-England Rajkot Test under threat as BCCI moves SC for disbursal of funds

However, the apex court has asked Lodha panel to appoint an auditor at the earliest to examine BCCI’s account amid claims that it was unable to host the Test or the series properly in the absence of funds.

Further, the Lodha Panel has been asked by SC to engage administration, staff and experts to determine the amount to be paid by BCCI for contracts of matches.

The SC has also ordered BCCI to make payments directly to parties concerned with contract and not to transfer funds to Saurashtra cricket body.

Both Indian and English teams have already reached Rajkot and undergoing final practices before the first test begins. Reports had also emerged earlier that BCCI had asked the England Cricket Board (ECB) to foot the bill until funds were made available for hotel stay, travel and other arrangements.

BCCI has been permitted by the court to make similar arrangements of incurring funds for international matches till December 3 for the upcoming matches in the India vs England series.