ICC chairman and former BCCI president Shashank Manohar will not be able to attend India's 500th Test celebrations in Kanpur this week. It is reliably learnt that Manohar has 'politely declined' the BCCI invitation to him to be a part of the historic occasion. "He has politely told the BCCI that he'll not be able to make it to Kanpur due to his hectic travel schedule and professional commitments (he is a lawyer). He has sent the Board his best wishes for the landmark event," a source said and categorically denied that Manohar's decision was linked to the recent spate of criticism directed at him by top Board officials. The ICC will thus be represented by its CEO Dave Richardson at the function.
It is learnt Manohar returned to Nagpur from Singapore, where he did some preparatory work for the International Cricket Council Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting, which will be held in Cape Town from October 9 to 13. He will again be flying to the USA on September 26.
Women captains invited too
BCCI has invited not just past and present captains of the men's team, but the women's team also, during celebrations to mark India's landmark 500th Test, in Kanpur. The Board has invited the International Cricket Council (ICC) bigwigs too for its function, which will begin with a celebratory dinner on Wednesday.
"Women's cricket is now very much a part of Indian cricket, and comes under the BCCI. It's our duty to have the women cricketers witness this landmark event," BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said. Amongst the past captains of the women's team are: Shanta Rangaswamy, Diana Eduljee, Shubhangi Kulkarni and Anjum Chopra. Current captain Mithali Raj and her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur too have been invited to be present on the occasion.
