Sourav Ganguly’s chances of filing his nomination for the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s chair appeared remote on Tuesday after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to put the ball in his court.

This will only further queer the pitch for Sourav though he has time till Thursday to complete the process.

“Whoever is qualified is free to file nomination… Any individual who has the backing of other members can contest. There is no problem,” vice-president Rajeev Shukla said during an impromptu media interaction.

As per the ICC’s constitution, any present or former director who has attended at least one board meeting is eligible to run for the chair. ICC directors are each allowed to nominate one candidate. Nominees with the support of two or more directors are eligible to contest an election. The winner will be decided by a simple majority in which 16 members will get to vote in the 17-strong board.

The annual general meeting of the BCCI also left the task of choosing its representative to the ICC to its office-bearers. Secretary Jay Shah remains the front-runner to attend ICC meetings.

There is already speculation that Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure Souravcan contest the ICC polls had prompted the BCCI to take a neutral view.

If Sourav decides to file his nomination, he will have to first request incumbent GregBarclay to stay away from the contest. The former captain will want to secure his smooth passage before taking the plunge. New Zealand’s Barclay has already made public his intention of continuing for a second term.

The new ICC chair will be elected in Melbourne in the second week of November.

Will Sourav file his nomination for the ICC chair? The chances are slim since he already has made his plans public — to be the Cricket Association of Bengal president.

What then will be the BCI's stand? It’s still unclear if they will support Barclay if Singapore's Imran Khwaja decides to throw his hat into the ring. Barclay doesn’t enjoy full support in the BCCI.