Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur on Sunday bashed on the International Cricket Council, saying it “has no relevance” without BCCI which used to give the ICC seventy-five per cent of grants to run all the cricket tournaments. Thakur who is a union minister of state for finance and corporate affairs shared his views as well.

“The ICC has no relevance without the BCCI as it used to give it seventy-five percent of grants to run its affairs,” said Anurag Thakur.

He also hoped that the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI would do well and take up the issue with the ICC and get its due as well. However, he said that India not having a “say” in the ICC is certainly a problem for the newly-appointed treasurer. Although Anurag Thakur is not directly associated with the board’s affairs, he said he will help anyone related to the work of BCCI.

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“I firmly believe that sports help in building character, shaping personalities and contributes immensely towards the holistic growth of an individual,” Thakur said. “Sansad Star Khel Mahakumbh was started with intent to identify grassroot-level talent, provide them with a platform and nurture them over the due course of the tournament. I have seen these players grow and some of them have transformed into great athletes and are playing at significant platforms.”