For the game?

Only six of the 33 candidates, for the MCA polls, are cricketers. While the Cricket First panel, headed by Dr Vijay Patil, has fielded five former players, Sharad Pawar's ruling faction has thrown its weight behind just one yesteryear great...

1. Dilip Vengsarkar

Post: Vice-president

Group: Sharad Pawar-Bal Mahaddalkar

Vengsarkar isn't new to cricket administration. As MCA vice-president, chairman of the senior national selection committee and chairman of the BCCI's Talent Resource Development Officer scheme, he has given a great deal back to the game. The 116-Test veteran who occupied the top spot in the first-ever 'computer' rankings released in 1987. But there's more to him than just big numbers. Vengsarkar is what you call the quintessential maidan man who toils hard to coach children free of cost at his academy at Oval Maidan. That he attended a few meetings of the Cricket First panel before jumping ship to join the Sharad Pawar-Bal Mahaddalkar faction has been taken note of. For someone who has always fought for the presence of cricketers in cricket associations, the 59-year-old finds himself in a good space. But can he get the required numbers?

2. Abey Kuruvilla

Post: Vice-president

Group: Cricket First

At 46, Kuruvilla finds time to represent the DY Patil Sports Academy at every second club game. One of the most gifted fast bowlers to have emerged from the city, the gentle giant from Mannar, a town in Kerala's Alappuzha district known for its traditional bronze industry, is up for the challenge. Battle-hardened after serving a term in the managing committee, Kuruvilla is chasing the big post of vice-president. According to his group leader, friend and employer Dr Vijay Patil, Kuruvilla has the uncanny knack of nurturing players at the grassroots. "From travelling with players on the local to chairing the BCCI's junior national selection committee, he is a great human being who loves the game," Patil says of his right-hand man.

3. Lalchand Rajput

Post: Joint secretary

Group: Cricket First

The former India opener is one of the country's most respected coaches. Armed with a degree in management and a Level III certificate from the National Cricket Academy, Rajput has a proven track record of producing results. A sitting managing committee member, he is now hoping to become a joint secretary, a post he has held in the past.

4. Pravin Amre

Post: Managing committee

Group: Cricket First

Today, Amre is the country's most sought-after batting coach. From Ajinkya Rahane to Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa to Naman Ojha, they are all Amre's wards. Additionally, he is also the coach of Mumbai and assistant coach of the Delhi Daredevils. Amre has been the victim of many an administrative conspiracy and that's the main reason why he has chosen not to leave anything to chance. Everyone expects him to be a visionary administrator.

5. Deepak Jadhav

Post: Managing committee

Group: Cricket First

The 52-year-old Jadhav played a handful of games for Mumbai. He represented India at the Under-19 and Under-23 level.

6. Sanjay Patil

Post: Managing committee

Group: Cricket First

Patil, 51, played first-class cricket from 1989 to 1994. His left-arm spin fetched him 105 wickets in 33 matches.