Sports

Anurag Thakur becomes youngest BCCI president

41-year-old replaces former president Shashank Manohar, who resigned few weeks ago

Afp May 22, 2016

Thakur is known as a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: TWITTER

MUMBAI: India's cricket board on Sunday elected 41-year-old current secretary Anurag Thakur as its youngest ever president, one of the most powerful positions in world sport.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted pictures on Twitter of its members congratulating Thakur after electing him at a meeting in Mumbai where he was the only nomination for the post.

Shri @ianuragthakur elected as BCCI President pic.twitter.com/NSRwy2i9Au
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 22, 2016

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Thakur, who is a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party 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).

The top post at the cash-rich BCCI is regarded by many as the most powerful in global cricket. The board benefits from huge TV deals that allow it effectively to run the world governing body the ICC with its allies, Australia and England.

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But the embattled BCCI is under enormous pressure to introduce reforms after it was tarnished by several scandals including corruption and fixing accusations in the glitzy Indian Premier League.

COMMENTS (14)

pratik | 8 years ago | Reply He is not the youngest bcci president. Maharaja fatehsingh rao gaekwad was the youngest bcci president at the age of 33. That's illiterate media.

Pathetic | 8 years ago | Reply Comments on this non news amaze me. Mostly from Bharatis! Apparently Bharati papers don't entertain their own?

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Anuj | 8 years ago | Reply @J.Niaz Even if he's a Modi buddy how does it concern you? Don't worry, still there won't be any IND-PAK cricket.

Chacha Jee | 8 years ago | Reply He is a. hard core BJP / RSS guy and BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh. Himachal is state which has anti Pakistani feelings because it has high percentage of serving and retired soldiers. It is a state which recently refused to host Pakistan's world cup match. His father is former BJP chief Minister of Himachal. Now you can put two and two together. I think he / BJP is going to stay away from Pakistan in Cricket if they wish to win election in Himchal. Pakistan can become big election issue in Himachal.

J. Niaz | 8 years ago | Reply Fine. But hardly of interest to us. Assume he is a good cricketer/administrator. Or merely a Modi buddy. .

سے Shaam (Hanafi) | 8 years ago | Reply Congrats Anurag! Here are some of his new initiatives after taking over the reins of BCCI. Women IPL team 10 percent of seats in all stadiums for students, girl-child and differently-abled citizens BCCI has also allotted Rs 100 crore budget for turning the existing stadiums into 'green-stadiums' by facilitating rain-water harvesting and installing solar panels. In addition, BCCI has also reserved Rs 50 cr for the blind and deaf & dumb Indian cricket teams.

Mega | 8 years ago | Reply Anurag will be BCCI president only for two years. Himachal Pradesh assembly election up in 2 years. If BJP wins there, he will have to vacate BCCI post to be youngest CM of Himachal ( his home state, where he is reputed leader there) . Just like central minister sonowal resigned from delhi, to be CM of his home state Assam after BjP won elections in assam.

syed baqar ahsan | 8 years ago | Reply our PCB will be on fast track if appointed Mr S Talat Hussain anchorperson,analyst, professionally honest,dedicated person and a good cricket player.

NITIN SATI | 8 years ago | Reply See the difference... the age of Indian cricket board's head is 41 and in pakistan, its 82, of Shahryar khan! That's why PCB is considered as a most ineffective and corrupt board!

afzaal ansari | 8 years ago | Reply we hope the young elected will try to bring close the PAk and indai teams

Samrat | 8 years ago | Reply @Blackwater This is exactly what we Indians want, no cricket with Pakistan at all. But he's no more than a kid who has siddenly got power and doesn't know how to handle it.

Shakti | 8 years ago | Reply He is a worthy head of the BCCI. He is very broadminded and did not subscribe to the Big-3 formula. He can really take Indian cricket to the next level. Manohar as ICC head and Anurag as BCCI head is a dream team !!

Blackwater | 8 years ago | Reply Bad news for pakistan, as Mr. Thakur strongly believes that cricket & terrorism will not go hand in hand!

wiserneighbour | 8 years ago | Reply congrats! we expect a clean and corruption free administration from you.No match fixings should be allowed nor conflicting endorsements by registered players.No cricketer should endorse alcohol ,tobacco products nor quick fix quacky medical products or procedures

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