Sourav Ganguly, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stressed upon the importance of India to world cricket, saying the nation here contributes significantly more to the global welfare of the sport.
The BCCI has faced severe criticism from those championing the cause for more parity when it comes to ICC funding and playing opportunities at the highest level for full members and the associates.
Ganguly, however, talked up the contribution of the Indian market to the growth of the international game in response.
"India contributes to world cricket in a huge manner. India contributes the revenues of World Championships, the World Cups, the ICC championships in a huge manner," Ganguly said on the latest episode of India Today's show 'Inspiration'.
"I think people around the world should be fortunate that you have a country where cricket is such an important part, where fans and sponsors and broadcasters contribute so much to the game," he added.
Ganguly also defended the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), often criticised, but certainly influential in the development of cricket across the country.
The former India skipper explained how the IPL also helps other countries make money, with the overseas players sharing 20 per cent of their salaries with their respective cricket boards.
"Why not IPL? If somebody like the BCCI has managed to make a tournament successful, so be it. There are Big Bashes happening in Australia, The Hundred happening in England, I have participated in England’s T20 championship competitions as a player. There is the Premier League (Super League) going in Pakistan. T20 leagues are all over the world and Caribbean Premier League," Ganguly said.
"The IPL has gone to a different level and a different league. It’s just that it’s been successful. We had to cancel IPL in March-April due to Covid-19. We just did not go out and say ‘we have to play irrespective of whatever happens’."
"I think it should be looked at positively by everyone because it’s not just India making it, the others are also making it. IPL funds boards as well. We give 10 or 20 per cent of the income to be distributed among all the boards. So it’s not just BCCI taking every penny or every pie or whatever, we share it also," he concluded.
