With the Indian Premier League (IPL) all set to begin from April 9, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed former Gujarat DGP Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandawala as the head of the Anti-Corruption Unit. He will now replace Ajit Singh, who served in the same capacity from April 2018 to March 2021.

Singh has reportedly said that he will still be with the BCCI to allow Khandawala to fit into his new role. Khandawala opened up on his appointment and said it is an honour to be associated with the BCCI.

“It is a matter of great honour that I am part of the BCCI which is the best run cricketing body in the world. Besides my expertise on security matters, what should help me in this role is my love for the game,” said Khandawala according to Indian Express.

Khandawala also said that he wanted to congratulate his predecessor. “I also want to congratulate my predecessor for doing a fine job and keeping Indian cricket’s image clean,” said the 70-year-old.

Khandawala, earlier, was the advisor to the Essar Group for a decade. He is also a retired Director General of Police (DGP) as well. Apart from that, Khandawala was also an integral part of the Lokpal Search Committee.

Khandawala will be flying to Chennai on April 7, 2021, ahead of the 14th edition of the IPL. The inaugural match of the IPL is to be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI). The 2021 IPL season will conclude on May 30, 2021.