N Srinivasan

Owner of Chennai Super Kings, former ICC Chairman, and long-time head of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

Narayanaswami Srinivasan, born on 3 January 1945 in Kallidaikurichi, is an Indian industrialist and former cricket administrator who serves as the owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings. As the promoter and managing director of India Cements since 1989, he built a corporate empire that included a record-breaking hostile takeover of Raasi Cements in the 1990s. In the cricketing world, Srinivasan made history as the first Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), taking office on 26 June 2014 before his removal on 9 November 2015. His tenure was marked by deep involvement in the BCCI presidency and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), though it was also shadowed by significant legal challenges regarding IPL betting scandals.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Narayanaswami Srinivasan
Born: 3 January 1945
Birthplace: Kallidaikurichi, Madras Presidency, British India
Office: 1st Chairman of the International Cricket Council
Education: BSc (Tech), MSc.IT
Alma mater: Loyola College, Chennai; Illinois Institute of Technology
Occupation: MD of Indian Cements Limited
Spouse: Chitra

Lore & Background

Srinivasan's entry into cricket administration began under the guidance of former BCCI president A. C. Muthiah, whom he eventually succeeded as TNCA chief in the 2002–03 term. He held this position for a record 14 consecutive terms, most recently re-elected unopposed on 26 June 2016 during the association's 86th annual general meeting. His influence expanded to the national stage when he became BCCI president in 2011, taking over from Shashank Manohar. However, his administration faced a defining crisis in 2013 involving his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, who was arrested for betting and passing inside information to bookies during the IPL spot-fixing scandal. The situation escalated when the Supreme Court of India ordered Srinivasan to quit as BCCI president on 25 March 2014 to facilitate a fair investigation. Despite these controversies, including a report by the Mukul Mudgal-led committee that found his company liable for Meiyappan's actions, he remained the central figure behind the Chennai Super Kings franchise.

Reader's Guide

To understand Srinivasan's impact, one must look at his dual role as a corporate titan and a cricket administrator. He transformed India Cements by executing a Rs 380-crore hostile takeover of Raasi Cements in the 1990s, a deal considered one of the biggest acquisitions in Indian corporate history. In sports, he held multiple leadership roles beyond the BCCI, including President of the Tamil Nadu Golf Federation and former president of the All India Chess Federation. His administrative career was marked by specific milestones: becoming ICC chairman on 26 June 2014, which ended abruptly on 9 November 2015; and a dramatic moment at the Cricket World Cup final where he presented the trophy to Australia after ICC President Mustafa Kamal walked out following controversial comments. His tenure as TNCA president began in 2002–03, ending A.C. Muthiah's reign, and he was re-elected unopposed in June 2016. These events highlight a figure who navigated the highest levels of sport and business, often at the center of significant controversy.