‘Prince of Kolkata’ starts new innings

The ‘Prince of Kolkata’ is now the President of the Board for Control of Cricket in India. And the former India captain has his task cut out. The only dampener is that Sourav Ganguly will be at the helm for only the next ten months. Will he be able to give new life to the august body? (“Happy to get an opportunity in a tough situation, says Ganguly,” Oct.17, Gulf Today).

His induction is without doubt a reason for celebration, because the board finally has a cricketer of great repute at the top.  That it happens to be Ganguly is excellent news for not only the Indian cricketing fraternity but also for those aspiring to don the Indian colours. Apart from his excellence in the disciple, the Kolkata star brings with him a huge amount of administrative experience having held various posts in the Cricket Association of Bengal, of which he was the president until his recent elevation.

As I said earlier he has his task cut out and he voiced it loud and clear. “First-class cricketers will be my priority and we will change their life. You only look at the top but we will also look at the bottom as many gems of Indian cricket lie there and we will change their life.”

Ten months may be too little a time for all the improvements he would like to make. But that is of little consequence because we have seen what Ganguly is capable of doing on and off the field in the past. Should be he given an unhindered reign, we can expect a world of change in India’s cricketing sphere. His induction augurs well for the governing body which is embroiled in so many departmental hassles and infighting.

As one of the most successful national captains, he was instrumental in cleaning up the mess following the match-fixing scandal that threatened to ruin Indian cricket. Time will tell if he was as successful in his new role as President of BCCI.

Ralph R
By email