N. Srinivasan Closer to ICC Chair After Supreme Court 'Boost'

In another shot in the arm for N. Srinivasan, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a plea by Cricket Association of Bihar to stop the Board of Control for Cricket in India president-in-exile to take charge as ICC chairman. Last week, the court had rejected a similar petition. Srinivasan is set to be the first chairman of the new-look ICC.

Nalini Chidambaram, appearing for CAB, argued that court must list the petition at the earliest otherwise Srinivasan would assume charge as ICC Chairman. Srinivasan is among 13 persons being investigated by the Justice Mukul Mudgal panel for corruption in IPL 2013.

BCCI lawyer told court that last week the same plea was turned done by the Supreme Court and now the petitioner is trying before this new bench. The Supreme Court vacation bench comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh said, "When the earlier bench (Justice JS Kher and Justice C Nagappan) has declined, it is not fair for this bench to hear. There is no urgency."

Srinivasan is set to become the first chairman of ICC in June-July. The international body has undergone changes in governance and revenue share model among its members. The changes were inspired by BCCI and supported by the cricket Boards of England and Australia.

The CAB has been fighting a tooth and nail battle to stop Srinivasan from representing BCCI at the ICC. But the Supreme Court, which took away Srinivasan's powers as BCCI president in the wake of the IPL scandal, has so far refused to stop the Tamil Nadu strongman from assuming the ICC hotseat.

Srinivasan is serving his last term as BCCI president. A new management is expected after September's Annual General Meeting.