Gavaskar will explain columns to ICC: BCCI

During India's acrimonious tour of Australia, Gavaskar had been scathing in his criticism of the world champions' on-field behaviour and the handling of Sydney racism row by ICC match referee Mike Procter.

His outbursts clearly did not go down well with some quarters and according to The Times, last week's ICC executive committee meeting in Dubai took a unanimous decision to oust the batting great from the Cricket Committee, which he has been heading since 2000.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah, however, dismissed the claim and said, "Media speculation about removal of Sunil Gavaskar as Chairman of the Cricket Committee of the ICC based on a report in a London paper is incorrect. ICC has confirmed to the Indian board that there has been no decision to remove Sunil Gavaskar."

He, however, admitted Gavaskar would explain his columns to ICC representatives.

"ICC representatives may discuss with Sunil about some of his media articles and report back to the Executive Board in its next meeting," Shah said in a statement.

Earlier, an ICC spokesman said that the issue was raised indeed in the Dubai meet where members felt Gavaskar's dual roles were in conflict with each other and he should choose between the two.

However, the committee decided against removing Gavaskar as it felt it would be better to give him the option of deciding what he wants to do.

"Gavaskar will meet CEO Malcolm Speed in Dubai this week to discuss this matter," the ICC spokesman said.

Gavaskar has lucrative deals as a television commentator and a newspaper columnist and this is likely to weigh on his mind when he decides on whether to continue as ICC's Cricket Committee chief.

A BCCI source said despite the outburst, the ICC wants to have Gavaskar on board.

"The ICC has lot of respect for Gavaskar and it does not want to take such a step of removing him. The ICC wants to have Gavaskar on board as cricket committee chairman," the source said.

In case Gavaskar decides to quit the ICC job, it would mark the end of his eight-year stint, after he took over from West Indian cricketer Clyde Walcott in June 2000.

Gavaskar has lambasted the western media which steadfastly opposed BCCI's effort to have I S Bindra as the next ICC CEO.

He was incensed by the argument put forward that with Sharad Pawar taking over as ICC President in 2010, Bindra's appointment would complete an Indian hegemony in the running of the game.

An irate Gavaskar wondered why the media did not react in the same fashion when ICC had two Australians -- Malcolm Gray and Malcolm Speed -- at the helm.

Incidentally, ICC President-elect David Morgan had also expressed his concerns at Gavaskar's outspoken views.