Shashank Manohar made history in 2016 by becoming the first independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). His election was a significant shift in the governance of world cricket, as he was the first to hold the position without prior ties to any national cricket board. This move was aimed at ensuring greater neutrality and reducing conflicts of interest in the ICC’s decision-making processes.

Manohar’s tenure as chairman focused on promoting transparency, fairness, and equity in cricket administration. His leadership saw the implementation of several reforms, including changes to the governance structure and financial distribution model of the ICC, with a focus on making the body more inclusive and less dominated by a few major cricketing nations.

Re-elected for a second two-year term, Manohar’s independent stance helped steer the ICC towards a more balanced and democratic approach, aiming to benefit all member nations and foster the global growth of cricket. His contributions were pivotal in reshaping the administrative landscape of the sport.