The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Shashank Manohar on Wednesday (July 1) stepped down from his position even though the annual conference is still more than three weeks away.
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The turn of events has prompted former BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry asking if this is a signal of the Indian boards growing clout in the apex body.
Speaking to IANS, Chaudhry said that the development is purely on account of the increasing clout of the BCCI at the ICC and the apprehension that Atlas might shrug.
Another BCCI official said while the decision to resign was Manohar’s call, keeping the fate of the T20 World Cup hanging leaves a lot many questions unanswered.
"Was he incapable of taking a call on the World T20 if he knew he was going to step down? Why leave the decision hanging? To be honest there are only two possibilities, either he saw the writing on the wall or he lacked the conviction to push through the decision," the official told IANS.
The official further added that Manohar wasn't enjoying his power with the ouster of Committee of Administrators (CoA) and CEO Rahul Johri marginalised.
"He could have continued till the new Chairman got elected had the Board approved. This points to his shrinking clout in the Board ever since the new BCCI dispensation took over from the CoA and the CEO was marginalised," the official pointed.
The ICC in its statement said: "ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar has stepped down after two, two-year tenures at its helm. The ICC Board met today and agreed that Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja will assume the responsibilities of the Chairperson until a successor is elected.
"The process for the Chairperson election is expected to be approved by the ICC Board within the next week."
Commenting on Manohar's journey, ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: "On behalf of the ICC Board and staff and the whole cricket family, I would like to thank Shashank for his leadership and everything he has done for the sport as ICC Chairman. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future."
ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja added: "Everyone on the ICC Board extends their wholehearted thanks to Shashank for the commitment he has shown to our sport. There is no doubt that cricket owes Shashank a debt of gratitude for all he has done for the sport. He has left cricket and the ICC in a better place than he found it."
(With IANS inputs)
