New challenge for BCCI as more names do the rounds

I can assure you that I had no meeting or any sort of communication with Manohar. I haven’t tried to communicate with anyone either. AJAY SHIRKE, MCA president

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is abuzz with speculation over the future of incumbent president and ICC head Shashank Manohar and his possible replacement at home.

Till Thursday, names of Sharad Pawar and Ajay Shirke were at the forefront as Manohar’s possible replacement as BCCI president if he chooses to take the ICC chairman’s post. Reports had suggested that on Wednesday, Manohar was in Shirke’s hometown Pune, adding credence to the speculation. SHIRKE DENIES For now Shirke has denied any approach or offer from his peers to take up the BCCI president’s post. “I can assure you that I had no meeting or any sort of communication with Manohar. I haven’t tried to communicate with anyone either,” said Shirke, who heads the Maharashtra Cricket Association.

A few BCCI officials HT spoke to, suggested that secretary, Anurag Thakur, and Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, Rajiv Shukla, could call the shots and both might not be in favour of Shirke as a presidential candidate.

“When Jagmohan Dalmiya was in power, it was Thakur who took the important calls. With Manohar’s entry, it had left Thakur playing second fiddle. It would be safe to assume with Manohar’s departure, Thakur would want to wrest back his position of power,” a top BCCI official said on condition of anonymity. NO BIG THREE Needless to say, as BCCI faces a cut in television revenues if the Lodha committee recommendations are imposed, Manohar’s decision to do away with the concept of Big Three in the ICC revenue sharing model has not gone down well with a few in the BCCI.

“Shukla too has been given complete control of the IPL and enjoys a lot confidence among most members,” the official added.

Pawar, who heads the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), is also being billed as a likely replacement. His actions in the past month have earned him a few brownie points.

During the row over hosting IPL matches in Maharashtra and the drought-like situation in the state, it was Pawar who proposed using treated sewage water as means to restrict shifting of matches outside the state. MCA also led the appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s decision.

While his efforts have not translated into results, his efforts might not be overlooked.

However, with the Lodha committee’s recommendation of barring officials over the age of 70 could prove an impediment for him.

The ICC’s executive body had taken a decision to amend rules for the chairman’s post in a meeting held recently. According to the amendment initiated by Manohar himself, the ICC chairman cannot hold any national or provincial post.

The ICC is set to elect the chairman, the process for which is set to begin on May 14. If Manohar does vacate the BCCI president’s post, the Board will have to hold elections or appoint a candidate if they reach a consensus.