Revealed: Shirke, Shukla, Gangaraju in fray to replace Manohar as BCCI president

BCCI-president-collage
Internet Desk: It will be a three prong race for the post of BCCI president. Current BCCI president Shashank Manohar is all set to vacate the post as he intends to take over as ICC chairman. Ajay Shirke, G Gangaraju and Rajeev Shukla are now the favorites to occupy the hot seat of Indian cricket.

Manohar is in line to become ICC’s first ever independent chairman in May and could hold the position till 2021.

According to the reports by the Mumbai Mirror, Shirke is a strong contender for the post as he has been associated with the BCCI for a long time and he even supervised BCCI’s legal battle in the Supreme Court against the Lodha Committee. The reports also suggested that he might get the support of Ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar who still is a force to reckon with inside the cauldrons of the BCCI.

Gangaraju, who was recently elected the BCCI Vice-President (South Zone), was a contender for the post last time as well. The Secretary of the Andhra Cricket Association can be promoted up the hierarchy this time around but his age is not on his side. The 69-year-old’s active association with politics can also come in his way of becoming the president of the apex body.

Rajeev Shukla, who has been associated with the BCCI for a long time, is also in the fray. The long-time servant, who is the head of the cash-rich IPL, is a very popular member and enjoys a lot of confidence among the members.

The uncertainty over the issue will only clear once Manohar formally tenders his resignation.