Blurb:
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
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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-year-old 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.
