Today the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the world’s richest cricket board. Its coffers are overflowing with cash and its power is the envy of the other national bodies. But about three decades ago, the BCCI did not have the slightest clue about making money from television rights. Thus it did not have the clout that it has today.
Strangely it was a South African cricketer and sports administrator who opened the eyes of the BCCI and showed them how to rake in more funds. That man was the former captain of South Africa and later its most effective administrator Dr Ali Bacher. He was involved in promoting cricket in multifarious ways in South Africa.
In 1991-92 the South African cricket team came to India on its first ever tour after the suspension of that nation from international sport was lifted. It may be recalled that South Africa had been banned from international cricket in 1970 because of its apartheid policy. When the ban was lifted, the nation played its…
