Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has backed his one-time on-field rival and now BCCI President Sourav Ganguly for the post of the ICC chairman.
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Speaking in the latest episode of India Today’s e-Inspiration, Sangakkara admitted that he is a big fan of Ganguly and lauded the former Indian captain for his astute cricketing brain.
"I think Sourav definitely can make that change. Quite a big fan of Dada not just because of his stature as a cricketer but I think he has a very astute cricket brain,” he said.
As per Sangakkara, an "international mindset" is needed to justify the role of ICC chief and he believes Ganguly is someone who has the best interests of the game at heart.
“He has the best interests of the game at heart and that should not change just because you are the BCCI president or the ECB or SLC or any other cricket board when you are at the ICC.”
"Your mindset should be truly international and not just constrained by partisanship in terms of where I come from -- am I Indian, Sri Lankan or Australia or English but really understand ‘yes I am a cricketer and what I am doing is what is best for all cricketing countries," the Sri Lankan batting legend added.
Sangakkara further pointed that Ganguly has been good at building warm relationships even before he became a BCCI President and hailed his influential personality.
"Most importantly, the foundation of this game is children, fans and spectators around the world. I think Sourav can do that very, very well. I have seen his work even before he took over as the BCCI president, even before administration and coaching, and how he has built relationships with players around the world, his standing in the MCC cricket committee. I have no doubt that Sourav will be a very, very suitable candidate to do just that," Sangakkara asserted.
Earlier, Cricket South Africa's (CSA) director of cricket Graeme Smith had also backed Sourav Ganguly to lead the International Cricket Council.
“Sourav Ganguly understands the game, he has played at the highest level and he is respected. That is going to be an interesting time for international cricket and it is going to be a great appointment,” the former South Africa captain had said.
