Dravid case: All about applying discretion

BANGALORE: The reactions to Rahul Dravid's turning out for his old club Bangalore United Cricket Club in a league game in Bangalore last weekend continues to be a hot topic in Bangalore's cricketing circles. While most welcomed his putting into action his desire to give something back to the club that nurtured him, some quarters tried to point out that he may have broken rules by playing league cricket in Bangalore and Chennai, something that is against the norms of the Karnataka State Cricket Association.Those allegations died an immediate death when it was learnt(and published) by TOI that it was two different seasons he was playing in, thematch in Chennai pertaining to the 2011-12 season while the one in Bangalore wasfor the 2012-13 season.Had the allegation borne merit though, Dravidwould have had to explain his position to the KSCA's cricket committee of whichhe himself is a member. And in ordinary circumstances he would have faced a banor some such action for the said transgression.Then again, maybenot. For, in a welcome departure, TOI learns that the committee, had it met onthe issue, would have taken a decision favourable to Dravid and hisclub."I am not sure how it would have gone but I am inclined tobelieve that the committee would have welcomed a player of Rahul's stature withopen arms. What he's doing by playing our league is give it a great boost, notjust to his club but the entire system, so how could we sanction him," said anofficial who didn't wish to be named.That indeed is a welcomedeparture from the normal. Now, while committees are there to uphold rules,there is this thing called discretion that a committee has every right toexercise. If they were to merely implement rules, then it could be done atclerical levels, you don't a committee for that, do you?