NEW DELHI, India: Former Team India skipper Sourav Ganguly is all set to take over as new BCCI president on October 23.
The consensus on Ganguly’s name was reached after a marathon meeting between representatives of state cricket associations in Mumbai on Sunday.
Ruling party president Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah has been finalised for the all-important post of secretary while former BCCI chief and now minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur’s younger brother Arun Singh Dhumal has been cleared for the next treasurer.
Khelupdates.com has reliably learnt that though junior Shah was a unanimous choice for the secretary post, but it was for the post of president that most of the members were backing former India and Karnataka player Brijesh Patel.
Compromise formula for Ganguly
In fact, Patel’s name was once finalised for the top post before Ganguly openly announced in the meeting that he is even willing to contest elections against anyone if situation demands.
It was Ganguly’s grit that paid off finally as a compromise formula was reached to help India’s one of the most successful captains.
However, the 47-year-old will only be the BCCI head for less than a year as he’ll have to quit office next September as per Supreme Court conditions of cooling off period after every two terms of three-year each.
Patel has been accommodated as next Indian Premier League’s next chairman.
The entire day witnessed a hectic lobbying in Mumbai as not just the junior Shah, but Anurag Thakur lobbied to present a united face.
It was learnt that Thakur had been holding meetings at his Delhi residence for last one week in order to keep his hold on BCCI.
No wonder then he has managed to secure an important post for his brother, who has been silent spectator at the BCCI meetings after Thakur’s removal as president in 2017.
Meanwhile, Patel’s entry into BCCI can be seen as a major victory for Tamil Nadu strongman, N. Srinivasan, who has once again emerged as a king-maker in Indian cricket.
Maharaj next Bengal CM?
If sources inside the BCCI are to be believed then making Ganguly as the next BCCI president indicate developments in the political circles also.
There has been whispers within his close circles that the current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President can well be BJP’s next chief ministerial face in Bengal.
It’s too early to predict, but Ganguly’s sudden entry into the BCCI president race has stunned everyone inside the meeting room, who were convinced that he wouldn’t take up the president post due to its short period.
Gaekwad ICA representative to BCCI
Former India coach Anhsuman Gaekwad beat former Member of Parliament Kirti Azad to be elected as male Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) representative on BCCI’s nine-member Apex Council.
Shanta Rangaswamy was earlier elected unopposed as female ICA representative.
Former India stumper and Asia Cup’s man-of-the-series Surender Khanna has elected unopposed as players’ representative in the IPL Governing Council.
COA to file last ‘Status Report’The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) are likely to file their last “Status Report” before the two-judge bench on Monday.
The SC had already given go-ahead to BCCI elections in its September 20 orders.
Depending on what COA has written inside the Status Report, the honourable Court may again take up this issue if situation demands.
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