Anurag Thakur becomes BCCI president

Thakur, who is a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, succeeds Shashank Manohar who stepped down earlier this month to become the first independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Published : May 22, 2016 11:31 IST , Mumbai

Anurag Thakur at 41 is BCCI's youngest ever president.
Anurag Thakur at 41 is BCCI's youngest ever president.
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Anurag Thakur at 41 is BCCI's youngest ever president.

Lawmaker Anurag Thakur was elected on Sunday as the youngest-ever head of India's embattled cricket board, charged with reforming one of the most powerful organisations in world sport.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted pictures on Twitter of its members congratulating the 41-year-old Thakur after electing him to the presidency at a meeting in Mumbai.

Thakur, who is a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, succeeds Shashank Manohar. Manohar stepped down earlier this month to become the first independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). READ: >Manohar bats for BCCI after stepping down as President

Thakur, who was secretary of the cash-rich BCCI, was the sole nomination on Sunday for the top post, seen by many as the most powerful in global cricket. READ: >Senior players, colleagues welcome Thakur as BCCI president

Thakur nominated Ajay Shirke as the honorary secretary of the Board. Shirke will represent the BCCI at the CEC meetings of the ICC.

The board benefits from huge TV deals that allow it effectively to run the world governing body -- the ICC -- along with its allies, Australia and England. READ: >BCCI to advertise for head coach job

However under reforms that Manohar had himself supported, it is no longer possible to be both ICC chairman and to head the national board of a member country. READ: >Scindia: BCCI leadership can deal with the tough times

Manohar had been serving as head of the ICC in his role as president of the BCCI in line with the organisation's previous system of rotating chairmanships. >READ: Thakur will carry BCCI's legacy forward, says Ganguly

But under the reforms, the ICC has amended its constitution to bring in direct elections for the position. It will now be officially an independent post, a move designed to ensure the incumbent no longer feels obliged to promote his own country's interests.

Thakur will have his hands full as the BCCI is under enormous pressure to introduce reforms after being tarnished by scandals including accusations of corruption and match-fixing in the glitzy Indian Premier League.

In the wake of those scandals, the Supreme Court ordered a retired judge Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha to draw up a report on the BCCI's governance to try to avoid future conflicts of interest. Justice Lodha's report recommended the BCCI introduce age limits for its office-bearers and a ban on television adverts between overs during live broadcasts.

Manohar quit the BCCI presidency, saying the reforms were not in the BCCI's best interests and he felt he could no longer carry on in his role.

On Saturday he told reporters that the recommendations on no adverts between overs "would destroy the financial structure" of the BCCI. "The board revenue would come down drastically to about 15 percent of what it is getting today," he told Indian media.

Thakur, a three-time MP in Himachal Pradesh state, has been involved with the BCCI since he was elected president of his state association aged just 25. Last year he pipped the incumbent to the secretary's post by a single vote.

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