New Delhi: Veteran administrator Shashank Manohar, who had vowed to clean Indian cricket in the wake of the IPL spot fixing scandal, today resigned from the post barely seven months into his tenure and is all set to become the first independent ICC Chairman.

The 58-year-old Manohar, who had taken over the reins of the cash-rich body for a second term following the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya, leaves the BCCI at a time when it is resisting the sweeping reforms recommended by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha panel.

In a letter addressed to BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur, Manohar said, "I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect from the post of President of Board of Control for Cricket in India. I also resign with immediate effect as the representative of BCCI on the International Cricket Council, as also the Asian Cricket Council on which I was nominated by the General Body of BCCI.

"I thank all my colleagues and the staff for their support and cooperation during my tenure. I wish all of you all the very best in taking the cause of Cricket to greater heights."

Manohar's exit, which was being intensely speculated, has not gone down too well with a sizable section of the BCCI top brass, which strongly feels that he has left them in the lurch.

The BCCI promptly accepted Manohar's resignation, acknowledging the "contribution" made by him in running the game during his tenure.

"The BCCI confirms that Mr. Shashank Manohar has resigned from the post of President, BCCI. He has also resigned as the BCCI representative on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council," Thakur said in a release.

"The BCCI places on record its deep appreciation of the immense contribution to Indian cricket made by Mr. Manohar," the release stated further.

The ICC election, scheduled for June end, will be overseen by the body's independent audit committee chairman and all present and past ICC directors will be eligible to contest.