New Delhi: The deliberations on India's roadmap for the 2027 World Cup are "not meant for public consumption", BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in an interview with PTI, refusing to be drawn into any discussion on individual players and their much-speculated future in the team.
Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dominate discussions whenever there is talk of India's campaign at the 2027 World Cup. However, Saikia was categorical that "strategic discussions in the boardroom" are best kept confidential.
While both former captains are determined to play in the marquee event, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have remained non-committal on whether the squad will have space for the white-ball stalwarts.
Asked whether the BCCI has had any internal conversations on the matter, Saikia said all stakeholders are aligned in their views as part of an ongoing process.
"We have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board," Saikia told PTI during an exclusive interaction.
"Whatever decisions are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned.
"There are regular conversations taking place. For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process," the secretary said, keeping his cards close to his chest.
He maintained that he would not divulge any boardroom information.
"I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media.
"Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom."
Saikia also addressed the issue of bilateral cricket with Bangladesh.
The Indian cricket team had postponed its white-ball tour of Bangladesh last year due to unrest in the neighbouring country. Bangladesh now has an elected government in place, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board has a new president in former captain Tamim Iqbal, who is keen on resuming bilateral cricket ties with India.
Asked whether the BCCI's stance would now change, Saikia said the board follows the policy framework laid down by the Union government.
"The BCCI is a cricket governing body, and we have nothing to do with what is going on politically in other countries.
"As the BCCI, we follow whatever policy the Government of India has in place regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events. Whatever regulations and policies the Union government frames, we follow them, just like any other sports federation, whether it is football, athletics or any other sport," he explained.
Saikia made it clear that the nature of the government in Bangladesh is not a matter of concern for the BCCI.
"We are not concerned with who is running the government in a particular country, whether it is democratically elected, undemocratically elected or an autocratic government. That is none of our business.
"Our job is to run cricket. Whenever there is a scheduled tour to a foreign country for bilateral matches, we will proceed according to our plans and schedules," Saikia said.
