India must impose

In the absence of any diplomatic sanction from the government, the BCCI must act right away and cut cricketing ties with Zimbabwe. Given the stature of India in a cricketing context, it's the right thing to do.

In the days gone by India had severed diplomatic and sporting ties with Israel to gain brownie points from Arab Nations. You regularly saw pieces in the papers that an insignificant Arab country (whose leader was probably on a India visit) was firmly in India's corner on the burning issue of Kashmir. India had no diplomatic or sporting relations with South Africa until the early 90s. How different is the situation in Zimbabwe as opposed to what existed in South Africa/Rhodesia during the apartheid days? The roles of the whites and blacks have reversed and the atrocities have grown manifold but the underlying theme is the same - racism. Here's the irony - even South Africa has cut off cricketing ties with it's neighbor. I dont suppose that came about without their government's support.

Sambit Bal of Cricinfo says that Zimbabwe doesnt even play as much as the associate nations of ICC and the last test they played was in 2005. So from a cricketing standpoint they dont even belong. Players from England and Australia have long been vocal in their opposition of tours to Zimbabwe and now England has called off a proposed tour to the country. When is BCCI going to act? Is it concerned about the loss of a member vote in the ICC? The ICC certainly can take the initiative and ban Zimbabwe. But it's leader, David Morgan thinks India's stand on the matter is crucial. Everybody is looking to India. These are the kind of opportunites that the BCCI needs to seize to show the rest of the cricketing boards that it has what it takes to be a leader. That would also go a long way in shutting up the likes of CMJ or Roebuck who question India's ability to be the caretaker of the international game. So far they've been right. The board has given the impression that it moves only when money is the object. But Zimbabwe is their chance.