RUSSIAN WAR SPELLS ROMAN’S EXIT

Chelsea owner and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic confirmed he will sell Premier League side Chelsea. Amongst the most passionate owners in world football, Roman took over the club in 2003 and transformed the London outfit from mere contenders to serial winners. 

Chelsea have won 19 trophies since Abramovic took over including their first Premier League and Champions League title. The 55-year old’s reign will come to an end after a fall out with the British authorities post the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The British government have yet to order sanctions against the Russian billionaire who is rumoured to have close ties with Russian supremo Vladimir Putin and even financially supported his regime.

In an official statement released by Chelsea, Roman announced, “In the current situation, I have taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors.”

“I will not be asking for any loans to repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but pure passion for the game and club. I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated.” The foundation set up will be for the benefit for the war victims in Ukraine. The hunt for a new owner is already underway with a 6 billion consortium fund being set up by multiple investors who are reported to include Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT PERMITS STADIUMS WITH 25% CAPACITY

The Maharashtra government has permitted the entry of fully vaccinated spectators up to 25% of the stadium capacity for the upcoming IPL. In an official statement the state government said considering that the Covid-19 cases have been on the decline, the crowd limit has been capped at 25% and only fully vaccinated spectators will be permitted to enter the stadiums.The entirety of the tournament will be held in Maharashtra, with Wankhede, DY Patil, Brabourne in Mumbai and the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune hosting all the games.

ANGULY INQUISITIVE CROSSES THE CREASE

THE BCCI constitution bars its president from having any role in picking the national team in order to retain the independence and autonomy of the selection committee. “The President is shorn of his say in selections,” the Supreme Court-approved constitution says. The only BCCI office-bearer authorised to be present is the secretary, who acts as a convenor without a say in selection. However, Ganguly has been a regular feature at selection meetings.
When Wriddhiman Saha expressed shock at being dropped from the Test team despite assurances from Sourav Ganguly, the Bengal wicket-keeper unwittingly drew attention to a new practice that’s making a mockery of the cricket board’s governance norms: the former India captain and present BCCI president’s unauthorised say in selection matters.

RODNEY MARSH DIES AT 74

THE cricket great Rodney Marsh, who formed a prolonged and prolific wicket-taking partnership with Australian pace bowler Dennis Lillee, passed away in and Adelaide hospital on Friday, March 4, 2022, just over a week after having a heart attack during a fundraising event in Queensland state. He was 74. A stocky and stoic wicketkeeper-batter, Marsh was half of a catchphrase that was synonymous with the era of test cricket: Caught Marsh, Bowled Lillee. They combined a record 95 times to dismiss opposition batters in test cricket.