Manohar's immediate challenges
N Srinivasan's ICC stint, Sundar Raman's future and the fate of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are some of the issues awaiting Shashank Manohar's attention
Amol Karhadkar
04-Oct-2015
Besides the administrative reforms he spoke about after taking over as BCCI president, Shashank Manohar has plenty of decisions to make in the coming days
N Srinivasan's ICC stint
Manohar did clarify that a decision on representation at the ICC would be taken by the board's annual general meeting, expected to be held next month. Indications from board members, including many Srinivasan detractors, are that Manohar will not displace Srinivasan as the ICC chairman. Whatever decision is taken in this regard, Manohar will have a lot of explaining to do for it.
Manohar did clarify that a decision on representation at the ICC would be taken by the board's annual general meeting, expected to be held next month. Indications from board members, including many Srinivasan detractors, are that Manohar will not displace Srinivasan as the ICC chairman. Whatever decision is taken in this regard, Manohar will have a lot of explaining to do for it.
Sundar Raman's future
Over the last two years, Manohar has been the most vocal critic of the previous BCCI dispensation protecting the IPL chief operating officer, who is under investigation in connection with the 2013 IPL corruption scandal. It didn't come as a surprise that Raman wasn't present at the BCCI office over the weekend. Manohar will now have to make up his mind on whether to wait for the Supreme Court-directed investigation on Raman to complete or terminate his contract straightaway.
Over the last two years, Manohar has been the most vocal critic of the previous BCCI dispensation protecting the IPL chief operating officer, who is under investigation in connection with the 2013 IPL corruption scandal. It didn't come as a surprise that Raman wasn't present at the BCCI office over the weekend. Manohar will now have to make up his mind on whether to wait for the Supreme Court-directed investigation on Raman to complete or terminate his contract straightaway.
Fate of two tainted IPL teams
The Lodha panel may have imposed a two-year suspension on the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals but the BCCI can still exercise its right to terminate the franchise agreement of both the teams. When asked if the board will do so, Manohar played safe. "It is hardly 25 minutes since I have taken over. You can't expect me to look into all the board records, all the board papers and tell you what decision the board is going to take," he said.
The Lodha panel may have imposed a two-year suspension on the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals but the BCCI can still exercise its right to terminate the franchise agreement of both the teams. When asked if the board will do so, Manohar played safe. "It is hardly 25 minutes since I have taken over. You can't expect me to look into all the board records, all the board papers and tell you what decision the board is going to take," he said.
Selectors' appointment
Just like the ICC representative, the selection panel is also appointed at the AGM. But the appointment is a mere formality during the meeting; the members of the selection committee are decided in advance by the president and the secretary. Till Jagmohan Dalmiya's demise, indications had been that three of the five selectors - Rajinder Singh Hans, Saba Karim and Roger Binny - might be replaced. But with the AGM being delayed and the World Twenty20 fast approaching, it remains to be seen if Manohar prefers Sandeep Patil's panel to continue and serve out its maximum four-year tenure.
Just like the ICC representative, the selection panel is also appointed at the AGM. But the appointment is a mere formality during the meeting; the members of the selection committee are decided in advance by the president and the secretary. Till Jagmohan Dalmiya's demise, indications had been that three of the five selectors - Rajinder Singh Hans, Saba Karim and Roger Binny - might be replaced. But with the AGM being delayed and the World Twenty20 fast approaching, it remains to be seen if Manohar prefers Sandeep Patil's panel to continue and serve out its maximum four-year tenure.
Cricket advisory committee
The high-profile cricket advisory committee - comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - was Dalmiya's brainchild to advise the BCCI on a range of cricket-related matters. When asked if the advisory committee will continue, Manohar again played safe. All he said was that the committee does exist "at present". During his first stint as president, Manohar had preferred to not have too many committees in place. Will he stick to his old policies, or make an exception and let the committee consisting of three of India's greatest cricketers continue?
The high-profile cricket advisory committee - comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - was Dalmiya's brainchild to advise the BCCI on a range of cricket-related matters. When asked if the advisory committee will continue, Manohar again played safe. All he said was that the committee does exist "at present". During his first stint as president, Manohar had preferred to not have too many committees in place. Will he stick to his old policies, or make an exception and let the committee consisting of three of India's greatest cricketers continue?
Amol Karhadkar is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo