500th Test: Shashank Manohar to skip celebrations

Shashank Manohar will not be able to attend India’s 500th Test celebrations in Kanpur this week.

It is reliably learnt that the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman has ‘politely declined’ the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) invite 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 told TOI on Monday, categorically ruling out 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 on Monday 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.