IPL Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman resigns
Indian Premier League Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sundar Raman resigned from his position, putting an end to the intense speculation over his future in the wake of the change of regime in the BCCI. BCCI President Shashank Manohar had supposedly asked Raman to put in his papers by October 31. Though there was no official word, BCCI chief administrative officer (CAO) confirmed the resignation.
Who is Sundar Raman?
Sundar Raman entered the corporate world as a media planner. He worked as the Managing Director of MindShare India. An avid cricket enthusiast, Raman was inducted into the IPL operations team by Lalit Modi. He strengthened his position, gaining Srinivasan's trust and steadily became the most influential non-administrator within the BCCI. Officially at BCCI, Sundar Raman held the position of COO of IPL.
Raman's connection to IPL scandal
Raman was at the helm of affairs when the IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal was unearthed in 2013. In 2014, he was probed by the Supreme Court- appointed Mudgal Committee in relation to the IPL spot-fixing case. The Mudgal report stated that the IPL COO knew a contact of a bookie and had contacted him eight times during one IPL Season.
BCCI decides to back Sundar Raman
In Nov 2014, the previous BCCI administration after hearing Raman's explanation (in relation to his role with reference to the conclusions of the Mudgal report), decided to support him to represent himself before the Supreme Court.
Lodha Committee report
While passing its order in July, the SC-appointed Lodha Commitee said that it "shall also examine the role of Mr. Sundar Raman with or without further investigation, into his activities, and if found guilty, impose a suitable punishment upon him on behalf of BCCI." Raman, currently under investigation, is scheduled to appear before the Lodha Committee on November 15.
Change of regime casts doubt over Raman's future
The change of regime at BCCI with Shashank Manohar as the BCCI president in October, meant a doubtful future at IPL for Raman. Manohar had been the one to publicly protest against Raman continuing as a BCCI employee after his name appeared in the Mudgal report.
