Sachin Tendulkar has denied the conflict of interest allegation of being associated with the Mumbai Indians despite being a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI’s) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

The former India captain in his reply to the notice issued by the BCCI Ombudsman has stated that he doesn’t get any compensation for his role of a mentor with the IPL franchisee. The legendary batsman has also stressed that the BCCI was fully aware of his role with the IPL outfit before roping him into the CAC in 2015. 

“The Noticee’s (Tendulkar’s) role and association with the Franchise is at best that of a mentor, on account of the Noticee being declared an integral part of and source of inspiration for the Franchise team since its inception. His role is limited to providing guidance to the Franchise team by sharing his insights, learnings and working closely with the younger members in the team to help them realise their true potential. The Noticee is also involved in supporting and promoting education of children through sport, as a part of the Franchise’s charitable initiative - Education and Sports for All,” Tendulkar wrote in his reply submitted to the Ombudsman on Saturday, accessed by The Hindu. 

Tendulkar and his contemporary V.V.S. Laxman were accused of violating the Conflict of Interest norms laid by the BCCI by Indore-based Sanjev Gupta, a life member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. While Laxman may withdraw from CAC, Tendulkar explained his post of being the MI Icon has no monetary benefits involved.

“The Noticee has received no pecuniary benefit/ compensation from the Mumbai Indians IPL Franchise in his capacity as the Mumbai Indians ‘ICON’ since his retirement, and is certainly not employed with the Franchise in any capacity,” Tendulkar wrote. “He does not occupy any position, nor has he taken any decision (including selection of team players) which could qualify as being in governance or management of the Franchise. Therefore, the post listed in Rule 38 (4)(j) is inapplicable to the Noticee. Accordingly, there is no conflict of interest, either under the BCCI Rules or otherwise.”

Following Gupta’s complaint, the BCCI ombudsman-cum-ethic officer D.K. Jain had sought explanation from Tendulkar. “The Hon’ble Ethics Officer will appreciate that the Noticee was named as the ‘ICON’ for Mumbai Indians much prior to his empanelment with the CAC – which fact has always been in the public domain. Accordingly, the BCCI aware of the Noticee’s association with the Mumbai Indians Franchise at the time of his appointment to the CAC,” Tendulkar added.

Tendulkar signed off the three-page reply with a request “for a personal hearing, along with his legal representatives” should Jain wish to continue enquiring into the matter.