The Board of Control for Cricket in India's relations with the media took a beating yet again yesterday when the Czars of Indian cricket decided not to announce the appointment of Duncan Fletcher as coach of the Indian cricket team at a press conference at the end of the Working Committee meeting.

They merely sent out a flimsy, T20 cricket-like media release which said: "The Working Committee of the BCCI met at the Cricket Centre earlier today. Several key issues were discussed. Mr Duncan Fletcher has been appointed Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, for a period of two years. Mr Eric Simons will continue as Bowling Coach."

Sure, the BCCI surprised the media by the announcement when media persons were under the impression that there would be an announcement of a coach selection committee, but it cannot claim to impress the media by deciding to make such a significant announcement in such a ridiculous fashion. Through their unprofessional ways, the BCCI proved again that they have scant respect for the various stakeholders of the game. So rich, yet so poor!

In the same press release, the BCCI announced that it was raising the cash incentive to members of the World Cup-winning team from Rs 1 crore per player to Rs 2 crore. A few days ago, N Srinivasan, secretary and president elect of the BCCI denied media reports which said that senior players wanted the cash incentive to be raised to Rs five crore. If those reports were indeed untrue, one wonders how come the BCCI decided to raise the cash incentive.