BCCI mulls hiring agency to probe players' complaints

Wriddhiman Saha gaining support from the cricket fraternity after putting out a WhatsApp chat showing an unnamed journalist using strong-arm tactics to get an interview, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) is thinking of hiring an agency to deal with such cases in its ecosystem. TOI has learnt that the BCCI top brass has discussed the issue and believes that the grievances of every player, selector, coach, support staff and official need to be probed. According to sources, the BCCI brass has come to know about a few issues that the players are reluctant to share.

Read AlsoBCCI will investigate Wriddhiman Saha quote and tweet; wants action to be taken against those found guilty

Fraught with embarrassment over interviews given by senior India wicket-keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and pained at a tweet posted by him sharing a screenshot of a series of 'insulting' WhatsApp messages the cricketer received from a journalist, the BCCI is calling for a "thorough investigation".

"It's not just about Saha alone. Every player needs to be heard. For this, you need a neutral party to carry out such a process. But for that, you will first need consent from every stakeholder," a BCCI source said.

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Setting up a grievance panel for players is a good move. But such a panel should be independent of and outside the powers and purview of the BCCI. Players will speak up freely only when they feel it is transparent, fair and genuinely autonomous of a body that has control over their careers.

"There have been players who have come to certain officials with their grievances regarding their perceptions in the media. Each of them needs to be probed. Even ex-coaches and support staff will need to be spoken to. If everyone is on board then an