Mumbai: The mystery behind Shashank Manohar’s resignation as International Cricket Council (ICC) chief deepened with Manohar claiming that he did not resign due to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) having garnered enough support to sabotage his revamp plans for the world cricket body.
Sources in the BCCI have revealed that Manohar was called to Mumbai by BCCI’s Committee of Administrators and told clearly at a meeting that India would block his plans. Eight hours after this meeting Manohar announced his resignation.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Indian Express, Manohar has denied that his resignation has anything to do with BCCI’s plans to block his revamp plans. He continued to strongly stand by his statement that his decision was due to personal reasons and even told the reporter that “my personal reason is going to be personal, otherwise it won’t remain a personal reason. It would become a public reason, which I don’t want to disclose.”
According to the information, BCCI categorically told Manohar that there is no way any amount due to India from the ICC will be shared with other countries. The BCCI has garnered so much support that all of Manohar’s plans would have been sabotaged during the April ICC meeting.
Interestingly, many countries who would have benefited from Manohar’s decision have also joined hands with the BCCI. The reason is because BCCI brings maximum revenue to the ICC and these countries can benefit in the long run by supporting BCCI.
The BCCI made it clear that Manohar’s aim to slash India’s share of revenue to ensure equitable distribution of ICC revenue will be opposed strongly.
When Manohar was asked whether he will return as cricket administrator he went on to categorically state that it is the end for him as far as cricket administration is concerned.
Interestingly, BCCI has issued a statement on Manohar’s resignation saying that they are surprised at the sudden decision of Manohar to step down.
The statement also added: “Manohar’s contribution to Indian cricket is invaluable. He is a man of few words but excellent deeds. The BCCI wishes him the very best for his future endeavours.”
Already moves have been made to have the next BCCI chief from India, with even Anurag Thakur, who had to step down from the BCCI president’s post, likely to contest.
It is also understood that N. Srinivasan may even resign as Tamil Nadu Cricket Association President and contest for the ICC chief’s post.
Srinivasan will have to resign as TNCA president as ICC rules say that the candidate should not be holding any post in the state associations.
As per the new ICC rules, the aspirant need not be proposed by the home board if he is a current director or former director of the world body.
