The Advisory Dream: Gavaskar Urges BCCI to Involve Sachin and Ganguly

Pearl Doshi - Gujarat Bureau Sep 14, 2026 1,650 Views

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar urged the BCCI to expand the Cricket Advisory Committee, suggesting the inclusion of legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Ravi Shastri. Writing in his column on September 14, 2026, Gavaskar emphasized that leveraging their expertise is vital to resolving systemic domestic cricket issues.

Proposing a major structural evolution within national sports governance, legendary former captain Sunil Gavaskar called on the BCCI to expand the Cricket Advisory Committee and harness the deep expertise of iconic former players.

Spurring a fresh debate regarding domestic cricket administration and institutional oversight, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has publicly urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to broaden the mandate and composition of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Writing in his syndicated newspaper column on Monday, September 14, 2026, the legendary opening batter emphasized that the current scope of the advisory panel—traditionally limited to selecting coaches and selectors—should be significantly expanded to address deep-rooted structural flaws within domestic fixtures and long-term talent pathways. Highlighting recent controversies in domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy, Gavaskar argued that incorporating seasoned cricketing minds is essential for the future health of the sport.

Evaluating Advisory Expansion, Domestic Reforms, and Governance Frameworks

Analyzing the operational recommendations put forward by the 1983 World Cup-winning batsman reveals a blueprint aimed at bridging the gap between historical experience and modern administrative decision-making. According to published columns and sports governance reports from September 2026, key facets of the proposal include:

Expanding the CAC Brief: Shifting the advisory scope beyond isolated coach or selector interviews to actively review domestic and international schedules, tournament formats, and systemic structural challenges.
Engaging Generation-Defining Icons: Incorporating luminaries such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehuag into formal consultative structures.
Institutional Heft: Ensuring that interactions between legendary former players, current national captains, head coaches, and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head carry unmatched authoritative backing.
Women's Cricket Parallel: Establishing an equivalent expert advisory panel dedicated to guiding the strategic development and administrative roadmap of women's cricket in India.

Why It Matters

The practical implications of expanding the Cricket Advisory Committee touch every level of domestic and international cricket development. For emerging players and domestic coaches, direct mentorship and structural oversight from legends who have conquered global conditions offer a clearer path to international success. For the BCCI, integrating high-caliber independent voices can help modernize tournament structures, resolve recurring loopholes in domestic competition rules, and align grassroots output with elite demands.

Key Facts at a Glance

Core Proposal: Expand the BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) beyond just picking coaches and selectors.
Suggested Experts: Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag.
Key Focus Area: Reforming domestic cricket rules, scheduling, and long-term strategic planning.
Additional Recommendation: Establishing a dedicated expert advisory panel for women's cricket.

FAQ Section

What specific change is Sunil Gavaskar urging the BCCI to make?

Gavaskar wants the BCCI to expand the role and bandwidth of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) so that legendary former players can help address domestic cricket issues and scheduling.

Which legendary players did Gavaskar suggest for the expanded committee?

He named several iconic figures, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag.

What is the traditional role of the Cricket Advisory Committee?

Historically, the CAC has primarily been tasked with interviewing and appointing head coaches and national selection committees.

Did Gavaskar propose any changes for women's cricket?

Yes, he recommended creating a parallel expert committee for women's cricket to leverage seasoned experience and accelerate its development.

Where can cricket fans read Sunil Gavaskar's full commentary?

His complete analysis and proposals are published via his regular columns in Mid-Day and reported extensively by sports news portals like Hindustan Times and CricTracker.