GREATER NOIDA: BCCI president Anurag Thakur has lashed out at International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Shashank Manohar for deserting a “sinking ship” and also accusing him of working against the interest of the Indian cricket board, Times of India website reported.

“A plenty of members felt that Manohar left the BCCI just when he was needed in it. When the BCCI wanted to seek his help, he wasn’t ready to come forward.

“What he is today because of the BCCI and right now he is working against the interest of Indian cricket,” Thakur told the reporters in a packed media conference room inside the Greater Noida stadium, where India Blue and India Red are playing the Duleep Trophy final.

“It doesn’t matter if I am disappointed or not. I have to convey feeling of the members today, when board needed him, Shashank left the sinking ship. The BCCI being the global leader, we look after global issues as well, we want to look through comparison as well,” Thakur said.

Thakur also justified BCCI’s objection over allotting a budget of $135 million (approx) as the organisational cost for the 2017 Champions Trophy.

“If the ICC is spending more money on a tournament, which is played over 20 days in three venues, the BCCI has the right to know the financial implication of spinning extra money on issues, which are of lesser importance,” he said.

Thakur then added: “ICC constitution was changed, as president of board, Shashank should have kept the BCCI in confidence which he did not. Because Shashank was looking for a position. That is why Shirke has raised certain issues.”

Thakur again took a dig at Manohar for his views on Test cricket. “If the ICC chairman is talking against Test cricket openly, what can anyone do? BCCI is committed to all formats of the game including Test cricket,” he said.

“He also said that who has time to look at 5 days from 10am to 5pm,” he added.

Published in Dawn September 11th, 2016