Restoring BCCI’s image top priority, says Thakur

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 4

Newly-elected BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has assured that the Indian cricket board wouldn’t shy away from taking strong measures to restore its lost credibility and improve the game’s image in the country. “The new set-up is committed towards restoring the faith of the cricket fans,” said Thakur.
Thakur, considered close to the rival Sharad Pawar faction, said the immediate target of the BCCI would be to strengthen the internal mechanism of the Board so as to bring in more accountability to its functioning.
“Our aim is to make the game more popular and controversy-free. Whatever has happened in the last few years wouldn’t happen again. We would also look to improve the bench strength by arranging for international series for our domestic players. Another aim would be to play more Test matches in the coming future,” he said.
There are usually two ICC meetings, one attended by presidents of the boards and chief executives. But the BCCI has still nominated Srinivasan and not Dalmiya.
“The decision has been taken till the next AGM in September. There are members who are part of the various committees and the Board’s functioning would have been affected by the changes in the committees. So, all of us agreed to continue with that process. I would be representing the BCCI at the chief executives’ committee meeting of the ICC,” he added.
Thakur also rejected the claims that Srinivasan still enjoys considerable clout in the BCCI after his faction won seven out of the nine posts in the elections.
“In the BCCI, the president and secretary are the two important positions. I would like to assure everyone that one wouldn’t see the influence of any outsider in our decision-making,” he said.