BCCI under fire over Duleep Trophy TV blackout ahead of AGM

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is facing growing criticism over the lack of live coverage of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals even as it prepares for a high-stakes annual general meeting on September 28 that will elect a new president and an Indian Premier League chairman. Quarterfinal matches that began on August 28 at the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence attracted no television or digital broadcasts, prompting uproar from fans and players; the board has since said the final will be telecast live from September 11 to 15.

The blackout of one of India’s premier domestic tournaments drew an unprecedented wave of complaint on social media, with supporters saying they were frustrated to miss matches featuring established international players such as Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh. Fans pointed out the contrast with last year’s edition, which was fully broadcast, and noted the irony that amateur matches are routinely streamed online while a top domestic competition went unseen. “There will be a live telecast of the final of the Duleep Trophy,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters in response to the backlash, adding that the board has an agreement...