ICC under the thumb of BCCI: Ranatunga

In a scathing attack on the BCCI, former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga said the Indian Board's financial might has turned the ICC into a "toothless tiger" and called the IPL a "monster" that will destroy international cricket. Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup triumph, said the ICC has become a body which is constantly under the BCCI's pressure. "The ICC's job is to protect the game. They don't have to favour anyone. The game has been nurtured by honourable men of the ICC for decades, but at present, ICC looks to be under the thumb of India," Ranatunga told a foreign newspaper. "Not too long ago we had individuals like Malcolm Speed, Eshan Mani and Malcolm Grey who stood against India. But the current ICC is weak and they simply give in. The ICC is becoming a toothless tiger," he said. Ranatunga praised former England captain Tony Greig for stating that the ICC needs to shake off India's influence on it to make right decisions. "Hats off to Tony.

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