Shashank Manohar 'politely' declines BCCI's invitation to attend 500th Test celebrations
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has declined the BCCI's invitation to attend the celebrations of India's 500th Test at Kanpur, against New Zealand later this week. However, it is believed that his absence will have nothing to do with recent spat between the ICC and the BCCI.
"He (Shashank Manohar) has politely told theĀ BCCIĀ 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," an unnamed source told TOI on Monday.
The ICC is expected to be represented by its CEO Dave Richardson at the function. The BCCI has invited a host of former and current captains for the celebratory dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, with India set to play their first Test match against the touring New Zealand side on Thursday. The BCCI has also invited former captains of the women's cricket team to the dinner.
"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 told TOI.
Shanta Rangaswamy, Diana Eduljee, Shubhangi Kulkarni, and Anjum Chopra are expected to attend the event, along with its current captain Mithali Raj and her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur.