Shashank Manohar unanimous choice for BCCI president: Ajay Shirke

New Delhi: To an extent, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer Ajay Shrike made it clear that Shashank Manohar is all set to take over the reins of the Indian cricket board.

Shirke told The Times of India on Saturday that Manohar was the "unanimous choice" of the Sharad Pawar-Anurag Thakur (read BJP) alliance to take over as the next BCCI president.

"Manohar is our unanimous choice," Shirke said. When asked whether the former BCCI president had agreed to take over the top post, Shirke shot back: "Yes. I wouldn't be telling you this otherwise. I've no doubt that he has (agreed). The formal announcement regarding this will be made soon."

Shirke also informed the newspaper that speculation regarding Pawar joining hands with N Srinivasan were not right. "I don't know why the media went to town saying that there was a 'deal' between them. Can you please show me the 'deal'?

“Thousands of people go to meet Pawar everyday . Did Pawar say anywhere that he wanted to become the president again? I give full credit to him here. He will never do something which is against the interests of the board,” added Shirke.