BackNot in fray for BCCI chief’s post: Rajiv Shukla
Shukla says there are other issues that need to be solved first before conducting a bilateral cricket series against Pakistan
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Lucknow: Indian Premier League chairman Rajiv Shukla on Saturday said he is not in the race for the top job at the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“I am not in the race for the BCCI presidency," Shukla said. “Even the date of meeting is not finalized, and I believe president should be everyone’s choice, and this would be best homage to former chief Jagmohan Dalmiya."
BCCI president Dalmiya died on Sunday evening following a cardiac arrest at the age of 75. He became the first BCCI chief to die in office. The Board, as per its constitution, will now convene a special general meeting (SGM) within 15 days to elect its new president.
Shukla was speaking at the Hindustan Shikhar Samagam in Lucknow on Saturday.
Former Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were also present during the event.
Sehwag said every cricketer loved to be part of a winning team.
“People to come watch the team, not the individual, winning at the ground. So, the individual makes no difference," Sehwag was quick to say when asked for his opinion.
“I could win people’s hearts only because of my batting style though I was criticized for it on a number of occasions. On one tour, I was almost pushed by then coach John Wright after I got out scoring 60-plus. He had expected me to get a 100 in that match. Later, he apologized for his act," said Sehwag who has two triple centuries at the Test level under the belt.
Talking about his equation with his opening partner Gambhir for team India, Sehwag said he used to inspire Gambhir to sing in the middle of a match in order to calm him down.
Ask about his non-selection for the forthcoming South Africa series, Gambhir said his presence in the team wasn’t as important as the team winning. “Everyone likes to see team India winning against South Africa. The Proteas are a strong side. They have defeated India on home turf in the past. So I believe this series is going to be quite exciting."
“I have been captaining the Kolkata Knight Riders for the last few years and I never compromised on cricketing talent. From day one, I told team owner Shah Rukh Khan to give me a free hand and I am happy that he never objected to it," said the Delhi left-hander.
Heaping praise on both Sehwag and Gambhir, Shukla said both the batsmen had made India proud on a number of occasions and their contribution to the game was immense. “Sometimes, I rated Gambhir better than the Sachin Tendulkar and I always pray for his success."
On the resumption of a bilateral series with Pakistan, Shukla said that India was always ready to play against them. “But there were other issues which should be solved first before conducting the bilateral series. I don’t think the situation is conductive for cricket in Pakistan and I find Pakistan Cricket Board chief Saharayar Khan’s comment about the BCCI absurd."
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