Incumbent Sharad Pawar [Images] is virtually assured of being elected unopposed as the Board of Control for Cricket in India president, even as the opposition group led by Jagmohan Dalmiya continued to play a guessing game on whether it would put up candidates for top posts in the BCCI Annual General Meeting slated for September 27 and 28 in Mumbai.

The Dalmiya group on Monday held hectic parleys in Mumbai to formulate a strategy on the possibility of throwing a challenge to the ruling faction in elections for post of secretary, treasurer and joint secretary.

Former BCCI joint secretary Gautam Dasgupta, who would represent the Dalmiya led Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) at the AGM, did not give a categoric reply when asked whether he is being considered a candidate for secretary post.

"Nothing has been decided as yet," Dasgupta said.

Meanwhile sources close to Dalmiya said that the group had not been able to find a suitable candidate from the west zone to take on Pawar.

As per the BCCI rotational policy for its presidential election, candidates for the top post this time have to be nominated from the west zone, which is considered a strong hold of the Pawar lobby.

The sources, however, said: "we are neither confirming nor denying that we may field candidates for slots other than that of president. Discussions are on."

According to the new BCCI rules, Pawar was assured of being in the saddle for two years once he was re-elected in the AGM.

Pawar had unseated then president Ranbir Singh Mahendra, who was supported by Dalmiya, in the board AGM last year.

The panel led by the Maratha strongman had also defeated other Dalmiya backed nominees in the election.

Dalmiya had been barred by the ruling group in BCCI from taking part in board meetings.