Srinivasan's ICC future unclear after BCCI snub

If the adjournment of a key BCCI working committee is an indication, N Srinivasan is far from being assured to continue as the ICC chairman following the annual general meeting of the BCCI next month. BCCI insiders believe Srinivasan's continuance as the ICC chairman could be scuttled if the Supreme Court bars him from attending next month's annual general meeting, or if he fails to acquire BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya's support.

Not just detractors, but even supporters of Srinivasan - and there are still a handful of them among the BCCI members - admitted that the former BCCI president will have his task cut out to convince the AGM and retain his post at the ICC.

The new BCCI dispensation had cited need for continuity after a delayed AGM for the seven-month period. In the lead-up to Friday's meeting, it was being whispered in the BCCI corridors that Srinivasan had struck a deal with secretary Anurag Thakur to continue serving his full term as the chief of the world governing body.

However, a Srinivasan supporter conceded that with the president Dalmiya not allowing Srinivasan to attend the working committee, it would be a tough ask to seek the support on the floor of the house during the AGM. Moreover, if the Supreme Court does not allow Srinivasan to attend the AGM, then it will all but end Srinivasan's regime at the ICC next month.

One of Srinivasan's critics all through the IPL corruption scandal pointed at the fact that even if a majority of BCCI members supported his candidature, it would be difficult for them to voice their support for a motion if it was not backed by the president. He insisted if the court allowed Srinivasan to attend the meeting, it would be imperative for Srinivasan to patch up with Dalmiya for maintaining his stronghold on the ICC.

Srinivasan was the BCCI's nominee for the post of ICC chairman in June 2014 following the ICC restructuring. His term is for two years. At the time of the ICC revamp, one of the sticking points for some Full Members was that the top three positions were for the nominees of the BCCI, CA and ECB, rather than for any specific individuals.

The other requisite was that it is a transitional two-year arrangement, meaning that after the first term, any member could be elected to these positions. Since a BCCI nominee is currently occupying the position, it is for them to decide who will be in the post of chairman of the ICC. In other words, the BCCI could change it if they wanted to.

Since the BCCI AGM every year nominates its representative in the ICC Board, Srinivasan's fate will be decided most likely on September 27. Despite being sidelined for the BCCI top post after being embroiled in controversies following the aftermath of the corruption scandal, Srinivasan managed to retain his ICC nomination in March this year.