Anurag Thakur has taken over the reins of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as its youngest president in the post-Independence era. The 41-yearold BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh takes over the most high-profile position in Indian cricket administration -- and arguably the most powerful post in world cricket -- at a time when the BCCI is going through a turbulent period. Thakur was elected the 34th BCCI president after Shashank Manohar quit the position to take up the ICC chairman’s job.
However, the new Indian cricket chief will face a testing time immediately after entering his new office as the Supreme Court is set to hear the BCCI’s objections to the recommendations of the Lodha Committee on June 29 and in all likelihood it would
soon order the restructuring of the Board. If it happens it is sure to adversely affect Thakur’s reign.
Last Saturday, Manohar revealed that his conscience did not
allow him to continue as the Board president, because he did
not agree entirely with the Lodha recommendations. His successor
though is a dynamic man of
action and has boldly labelled the
challenges before him as a “unique
opportunity” rather than a problem.
Thakur’s staunchest critics have
welcomed his appointment but are
still skeptical whether, as an active
member of a national political party,
he can devote enough time for
the BCCI’s affairs at a critical time
for the Board. Other political heavyweights
who have served as BCCI presidents in the past -- SN
Wankhede, NKP Salve, Madhavrao Scindia and Sharad Pawar
have juggled the job with their political roles. But none of them
had to face the challenges of the magnitude Thakur will have
to deal with. Also, Thakur’s responsibility as president will be
to ensure that things are put in place not only at the BCCI level
but also at all the state associations, while having them on his
side. Having served as the Board secretary, he is aware of the
hurdles he will face.
However, it is not for nothing that even his critics are ready
to back him. A career politician, Thakur -- the son of former
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Premkumar Dhumal -- has a
sound record as a cricket administrator. He was also the youngest
ever president of a state association, when he took the reins
of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association at 26 and has single-
handedly brought the State into the mainstream of the Indian
cricket landscape. The spectacular Dharamsala cricket
stadium, which is repeatedly showcased during IPL seasons,
stands testimony of his commitment for his state and the game.
Meanwhile in the BCCI, Thakur’s rise has been unusually
swift. The sound politician that he is, Thakur has made all the
right moves in reaching the top of the cash-rich body. Manohar
might have been the architect of most reforms the BCCI carried
out since last October, but Thakur also played an important
role in endorsing those changes. Another important decision
taken at Thakur’s behest was drawing up contracts for India’s
women cricketers.
For now, the Lodha Committee recommendations hang like
the sword of Damocles over his and the BCCI’s head and he has
stated that the Board would implement whatever is practical.
With a young, dynamic captain at helm, it’s certainly the dawn
of a new era for the BCCI.
