I was never in the BCCI presidential race, says Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla extended his support to Shashank Manohar on Thursday. (Source: Express File)

Extending his full support to BCCI’s Presidential candidate Shashank Manohar, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla on Thursday said that he was never in the running for the top job and will always be a loyal soldier of the board.

Manohar is all set for a second term — served as 29th BCCI President between 2008-2011 — with the ruling Anurag Thakur faction as well as Sharad Pawar group projecting him as the consensus candidate for the post left vacant by Jagmohan Dalmiya’s demise. Shukla, whose name also did the rounds for the President’s post, believes that Manohar’s appointment will certainly help the board improve its functioning.

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“He is a prominent figure and I am in support of him. He will be very much fruitful for BCCI and certainly improve the functioning of the board,” Shukla said at the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy match between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh at a private university ground here.

“No I was never in the race. I am a loyal soldier of the BCCI. I will always work for the betterment of the board,” responded Shukla when asked about his name being in the running for the post.

ICC chairman and former BCCI chief N Srininvasan though is not allowed to attend the Special General Meeting (SGM) on Sunday, but can cast his vote if the situation arises.

“His vote will not make much of a difference,” Shukla said.