Chennai: Newly-elected BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur on Monday said the Cricket Board's priority is to restore people's faith and improve the game's image in the country.
Veteran administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya was unanimously elected President of the BCCI but the N Srinivasan camp suffered a setback when Thakur, considered close to the rival Sharad Pawar faction, beat Sanjay Patel for the post of Secretary at the Board's Annual General Meeting.
"Every member of the BCCI is committed towards the betterment of the game. I can assure everyone that we will take all necessary steps to strengthen the board, strengthen cricket and take cricket to new heights," said Thakur.
Asked whether it was Srinivasan's victory or Dalmiya's, Thakur said, "I think it is the victory of cricket. Our utmost priority is to restore the confidence of the people in cricket and to work on the image of cricket and the Board.
"I personally feel the members of the Board will join to work in that direction, especially to reach the new heights in the field of cricket."
If he had contested in the elections because he wanted to clean the image of the Board, 40-year-old administrator said: "I think the message is very loud and clear that all of us as the members of the BCCI are keen to work together and change the image or restore the faith of people in the game of cricket."
Thakur, the President of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, insisted that it was an important election at a very crucial time.
"It is not about individual's victory. This is a victory that I dedicate to all the members, who have given me an opportunity to work. I am not a newcomer in the BCCI...I have been here for around 17 years. I have seen many ups and downs in the Board.
"I have seen many elections, which were very very close. This was also one of the very important elections at a very crucial time, which the BCCI is going through. I am sure all the members of the BCCI would give our best to restore the faith of people.
