Ganguly takes guard in ‘new start for BCCI’ with reforms on the agenda
▶ Incoming Indian board president and one of most successful captains is confident despite a limited tenure
Former captain Sourav Ganguly yesterday vowed to clean up Indian cricket after being elected president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The BCCI has been embroiled in a series of scandals, including accusations of corruption and match-fixing that needed the intervention of the country’s supreme court.
The appointment of the Ganguly, 47, in Mumbai yesterday ends the two-year reign of a court-appointed Committee of Administrators. “It’s an honour that I have been asked to take this role by the members when it’s a new start for the BCCI,” Ganguly said in his first address as BCCI chief.
“Things need to be brought back in place, reforms need to done, huge amounts of money to be paid to state associations.
“It’s a challenge and I’ll do it the way I know. The way which I feel is best for BCCI with no compromise on credibility, corruption-free and same-forall BCCI. That’s the way I led India and that’s the way I will take forward this organisation with whatever time I have.”
As far as the game is concerned, Ganguly promised to listen to captain Virat Kohli, the “most important man in Indian cricket”, and said he would speak to the player at the earliest. “Virat Kohli is the most important man in Indian cricket, we will listen to him. Mutual respect will be there, opinions will be there,” he said. “We will support him in every possible way, whatever he wants.”
Ganguly, whose term is for 10 months, led India to victory in 21 Tests.
He made 113 Test appearances overall and played in 311 ODIs. He is arguably the finest captain India has produced and one of the foremost tacticians in the game, on and off the field.
“I’m totally satisfied,” said Vinod Rai, who was on the Committee of Administrators.
“The president is one of our most successful captains, he has had five years at the CAB and is now taking over at the BCCI. There is no one better than him to take this position.”
Meanwhile, Ganguly is confident that Bangladesh will go ahead with their planned tour of the country despite an ongoing player strike.
Top Bangladesh players, led by captain Shakib Al Hasan, are on an indefinite strike and have put forth a list of 11 demands including better pay for players and support staff.
The discontinuation of the franchise model in the Bangladesh Premier League resulted in a substantial reduction in player salaries this season, which has not gone down well with the players.
The Tigers are set to travel to India for a tour that begins on
November 3 and includes three T20 Internationals and two Tests. Bangladesh announced a 15-man T20 squad last week with Shakib set to lead the team.
Ganguly, who hails from the Indian state of West Bengal, said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has confirmed her presence at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the second Test.
“Two days ago, I spoke to the honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh and she has agreed to come and visit for the Test match when India play Bangladesh on November 22,” Ganguly said.
“I’m sure when the Prime Minister has given consent, I don’t see the national team not turning up. But at the end of the day it’s their decision, it’s their internal matter where we do not have any say or we should not have any say.”
BCB president Nazmul Hassan said the board was open to discussions but criticised the players and said the board will try to find out who instigated the strike.
I’ll do it the way I know. The way which I feel is best for BCCI with no compromise on credibility, corruption-free and same-for-all BCCI