Shashank Manohar quits International Cricket Council, cites ‘personal reasons’

Shashank Manohar has stepped down as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman after just ten months of his election. He was in office for just eight months

Shashank Manohar on Wednesday resigned from the post of International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman with immediate effect. He has cited personal reasons.

Shashank Manohar has resigned as International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, citing personal reasons. He was in office for just eight months. (AFP)

The 59-year old Nagpur lawyer was elected unopposed for the position in May 2016 and he became the first independent Chairman of the game’s governing body.

After his election for a two-year term, he stepped down as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“This is very shocking because he had big plans to revive the ICC functioning. However, with Manohar it is quite known that he has the habit to quit in between,” a senior member of the BCCI told Hindustan Times.

Shashank Manohar was chiefly responsible for trying to reduce the influence wielded by the Big Three (India, England and Australia) on the revenue sharing of ICC and under his leadership which lasted around ten months, ICC went back to its earlier financial model.

BCCI has voted against a proposed shake-up of cricket's global governing body that threatens its influence as one of the game's "Big Three" powers along with Australia and England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India rejected a proposal to radically alter the financial and governance structure of the International Cricket Council, a move that would curb its earnings and clout. (AFP)

Shashank Manohar’s relationship with the BCCI was not a happy one. India opposed his new revenue model where BCCI’s share of the ICC revenue would be drastically cut.

Manohar was also at loggerheads with ousted BCCI president Anurag Thakur during the Lodha panel hearing in Supreme Court.

According to Cricinfo, in a letter addressed to ICC chief executive David Richardson, Manohar said: “I have tried to do my best and have tried to be fair and impartial in deciding matters in the functioning of the Board and in matters related to Member Boards along with the able support of all Directors.”

“However, for personal reasons it is not possible for me to hold the august office of ICC Chairman and hence I am tendering my resignation as Chairman with immediate effect. I take this opportunity to thank all the Directors, the Management and staff of ICC for supporting me wholeheartedly. I wish ICC all the very best and hope it achieves greater heights in future.”