The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could have a new president after its Annual General Meeting in September as an ailing Jagmohan Dalmiya may be requested to step down on health grounds.
Dalmiya, a veteran cricket administrator, has been battling health issues for quite some time now and many in the Board believe the 75-year-old needs to step down to ensure a better functioning of BCCI.
In March, Dalmiya was elected unopposed as BCCI president while coming back to take the post after a gap of 10 years.
BCCI officials say they will ask Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to request Dalmiya to step down.
Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke, who has been BCCI treasurer in the past, could emerge as one of the key candidates for the post in case Dalmiya resigns.
“Technically, Anurag (Thakur) is working both as president and secretary in BCCI at the moment. An institution like the BCCI needs someone who is completely fit. We all know what Dalmiya has done for Indian cricket, but looking at his health, we all feel he should step down. The BCCI will be hosting the ICC T20 World Cup next year and there are many more important decisions to be taken in the months to come,” a senior BCCI official told Indian Express.
It is being reported that Dalmiya’s son Avishek started looking after the day-to-day affairs of the Board recently and this surprised the Board members.
However, sources say Dalmiya would only pay heed to Jaitley in case he makes any mind to resign.
“Dalmiya will only listen to Jaitley. Even before the last elections, Dalmiya had made it clear that he would follow whatever Jaitley said,” sources said.
Shirke, who has a clean image, is considered close to NCP chief Sharad Pawar and is well-respected among all board members.