On expected lines, N. Srinivasan has been removed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council. The decision to drop him was taken at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Monday. The BCCI will now recommend this change to ICC.
On issues of conflict of interest, the BCCI has also removed Ravi Shastri from the IPL governing council. Shastri is Team India’s director and will hold this position till the ICC World T20 in March-April next year.
BCCI president Manohar told the media that members were “unanimous” that the Board should be “clean and transparent.” He said the Board was only “looking forward and did not want to look back at what happened in the previous regime.” Manohar had become BCCI president in October following the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya. The move for clean administration gathered steam only after his appointment.
Srinivasan was elected for a two-year term. His tenure will be completed by current BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who will now head the world body’s Executive Committee till June 2016. As per protocol, respective Boards name a representative on the Ex-Co. The BCCI will propose former ICC president Sharad Pawar’s name as an alternative director in the executive committee.
In recent times, Srinivasan’s control over cricket administration had increasingly become weaker after the Supreme Court charged him for conflict of interest. The Tamil Nadu businessman played a key role in shaping the ICC’s new governance structure and revenue share model along with England and Australia.
Not Upset, Will Focus on Cement Business: Srinivasan
Speaking to NDTV, a non-chalant Srinivasan said he was “not upset” at the turn of events. Once the game’s most powerful man, Srinivasan said he will “concentrate on his cement business” and “use his spare time to improve his golf handicap.”
With his exit as ICC chairman, Srinivasan is now left with just one position as head of a cricket body. He is still the president of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Srinivasan’s company India Cements had owned tainted IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team is now suspended for two years by a Supreme Court appointed committee. Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, a team owner of Chennai Super Kings, was indicted for betting and sharing team information. Meiyappan has been banned for life from cricket activities.
The heat on Srinivasan increased after the Lodha committee suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The removal of Sundar Raman as IPL COO last week was a strong indication that Srinivasan would be dropped from his ICC chair. Sundar had worked closely with Srinivasan, who controlled Indian cricket from 2008.
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