Cricket stars aren't always the best administrators

It's not been a great season for players-turned-administrators. History shows that it's something not many have been able to crack. Maybe, they are so used to life as celebrities that they find it difficult to adjust to being at beck and call.

It's not been a great season for players-turned-administrators. History shows that it's something not many have been able to crack. Maybe, they are so used to life as celebrities that they find it difficult to adjust to being at beck and call.

In the last IPL season, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) was captained by two India stalwarts, Anil Kumble as president and Javagal Srinath as secretary. There were a lot of expectations when the two came to power, but after a term the dream ended.

In the last KSCA elections, a new body was voted to power led by Brijesh Patel, a cricketer who didn't make it big at the international stage.

They are not the first. Kiran More lost the Baroda Cricket Association polls and Bishan Singh Bedi at Delhi & District Cricket Association. Another former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar started off well at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) but when he came up against a heavyweight politician he had no chance.

S Venkatraghavan became the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary after retirement but his career as an administrator ended after three years.

Sunil Gavaskar has done a fine job with the IPL but he never tried his hand as an administrator when he had the chance at the MCA. With the Supreme Court behind him, he doesn't have to handle politics, which can be a challenge.

Venkatesh Prasad, Roger Binny were part of Kumble's group with Rahul Dravid also helping out.

It is said, even Don Bradman, had got a bit of rubbing from the administrators when he was the Australian Cricket Board president.

"They (cricketers) are not able to shed the coat of being celebrities," said a senior KSCA member, who is now in power.

In cricket administration, it's the organising skills which count. Dealing with various government agencies is not easy.

"Both Kumble and Srinath are gentlemen, they are clean and their intent was good. But, this job comes with experience. You have to be good at public relations," he said. "One has to devote a lot of time. But cricketers have so many commitments, they are so much in demand as coaches and other plum assignments that they struggle to cope."

Srinath is a match referee and travels a lot while Kumble heads the team management of Mumbai Indians. Most importantly, to stay in power, you have to keep the voters happy and they demand time. This is the most difficult part for star players.