Sports

"​I Will Quit Gracefully If Required​"

DP Reddy, the ​IAS officer who succeeded IS Bindra​ in the Punjab Cricket Association​​,​ says if Supreme Court upholds Lodha panel recommendations he would leave cricket administration

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"​I Will Quit Gracefully If Required​"
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Current Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Deva Pampapathi Reddy is different in many ways. The Additional Chief Secretary (Finance and Taxation) in the Punjab Government is the son of an IAS officer. A 1985 Batch IAS officer, the 57-year-old bureaucrat is from Hyderabad. But he trained for his career as a bureaucrat in north India (Musoorie and Hoshiarpur in 1986) and has since been living in this part of the country.

Cricket attracted him so much that he, as an IAS officer, purchased a ticket to watch the first ever international match played at Mohali stadium in 1993 from general stands. When he watched that India-South Africa One-day International, he hadn’t even met Inderjit Singh Bindra, who ruled the PCA as its president with an iron hand for 36 years (1978 to 2014).

Later, Reddy met Bindra, won his confidence and trust, and succeeded him as PCA president last year, beating a couple of local hopefuls. Not surprisingly, Reddy says “stepping into Mr Bindra’s shoes is an achievement in itself”.

However, Reddy and other government servants in BCCI and state associations are facing an uncertain future after the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee recommended a bar on them as well as on ministers. Putting up a brave face, Reddy says he says he would “quit gracefully” if the Supreme Court upholds this Lodha panel recommendation. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

What is the current mood in the PCA?

The general mood in the PCA is very good. We will do what is needed to be done whatever the court decides. There is no occasion to be nervous.

What are your views on the Lodha Committee recommendations?

Our point of view has already been articulated by our advocate [in the Supreme Court]. I have nothing more to add. Whatever has been articulated has been done after due deliberations within the PCA executive committee. After the Lodha Committee submitted its report, at an executive committee meeting a proper presentation was made by general secretary Mr [MP] Pandove, as he attends most of the BCCI meetings and is thus more aware of things.

What was the executive committee’s view on Lodha panel’s recommendation that ministers and government servants should not be part of the BCCI?

The executive has not dwelt on that aspect.

What if the Supreme Court eventually accepts this recommendation of a bar on ministers and government servants?

Perhaps someone better will come in our places. We got a chance to do something for the game [as an administrator].

You are PCA president and an IAS officer too. What would you do if the Supreme Court accepts Lodha panel recommendation that government servants shouldn’t be part of cricket administration?

Speaking for myself, I would quit gracefully if the Supreme Court finally accepts Lodha Committee recommendations on government servants and ministers. But, let me make it clear, I’m not speaking on behalf of other government servants in the PCA. I’m in cricket administration because of my passion for the game.

There is a thought that the IAS lobby has dominated the PCA.

It’s probably the passion for the game that has brought them to the PCA and rich administrative experience. But PCA is a well-oiled machine and everything falls in place automatically in a smooth and seamless manner.

How did you come in touch with Bindra and get into PCA?

I watched the first international match in Mohali in 1993, an India-South Africa ODI, from the general gallery at the PCA Stadium, along with an IPS officer friend. At that time, I didn’t even know Mr IS Bindra. I bought the match tickets, along with an IPS office, for that ODI. I got in contact with Mr Bindra later. I never enjoyed a match more than that one. I almost behaved like a kid. I remember clapping etc. at good shots. After I got into the PCA, my initial task was gate management, seating, protocol and ushering etc. [during international matches].

It is surprising a non-north Indian becomes president of a north Indian cricket association.

I was posted in Punjab and I felt at home here. Hindi is my second language. I have enjoyed all my postings in Punjab. Stepping into Mr Bindra’s shoes is an achievement in itself. I never contested for any post. The executive committee members authorise the president to nominate office-bearers. All decisions at the PCA are taken unanimously. And Mr Bindra has always been transparent.

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This web-exclusive Interview does not appear in print magazine.

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