Wrap-up: Breath of fresh air in world of cricket

SC throws Thakur out of BCCI
In a huge setback to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the removal of its president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke and held that they will forthwith cease and desist from holding their posts.

A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Thakur also slapped a notice on Mr Thakur to show cause as to why he should not face contempt of court proceedings and criminal prosecution for perjury. The court held that Mr Thakur has by his actions and conduct rendered himself unfit for continuance as President of the BCCI.

The SC said Mr Thakur has obstructed and impeded the implementation of the directions contained in the judgement of the Supreme Court dated July 18, 2016. His own version is that he has been “rendered totally incapable and without any authority” to compel the members to comply with the orders of this Court. 

Virat Kohli replaces Captain cool
Indian cricket entered a new era as Virat Kohli was on Friday officially anointed captain for all three formats as he took over leadership for the limited-overs series against England where veterans Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra will make a comeback.

While Mahendra Singh Dhoni, after more than nine years at the helm, will play only as keeper-batsman, the national selection committee under M.S.K Prasad’s chairmanship named rookie Delhi keeper Rishabh Pant in the T20 squad giving an indication as to whom they consider Dhoni’s successor.

Also, the selection committee meeting had its share of drama and was delayed by three hours on technical grounds before a go ahead from the Lodha panel set the proceedings rolling.

Dhoni quits as limited overs captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the country’s most successful skipper, on Wednesday sprang a major surprise by stepping down as India’s limited overs captain, thereby bringing an abrupt end to his glorious leadership tenure.

The 35-year-old under whom India had won two World Cups and a Champions Trophy title, stunned the cricket fraternity by relinquishing the captaincy barely 11 days before the ODI series against England.

While expressing his desire to quit captaincy, Dhoni conveyed to the selection committee that he will be available for selection as a player for the three ODIs and as many T20s against England starting January 15.

In his unfinished limited overs career, Dhoni has so far scored 9,110 runs in 283 ODIs at an average of 50.89 with 183 not out being his highest score. Besides, the wicket-keeper batsman has so far made 1,112 runs from 73 T20 Internationals.

Dhoni had earlier suddenly quit Test captaincy during the Australia tour in 2014 in Melbourne. Dhoni has been India’s most successful captain. Under his leadership India have won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and also reached the top of the Test rankings in 2009.