Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is set to return unopposed as Cricket Association of Bengal president at its annual general meeting in Kolkata on Monday (September 22), news agency PTI reported.
However, his second stint appears to be more challenging with the governing body hit by financial irregularities and credibility concerns in recent months.
According to the report, the entire panel led by Ganguly -- Bablu Kolay (secretary), Madan Mohan Ghosh (joint-secretary), Sanjay Das (treasurer) and Anu Dutta (vice-president) -- is also set to be elected unopposed.
Sourav Ganguly, who served the BCCI as president from 2019 to 2022, will be replacing his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, who had to relinquish the post following the six-year cap on executive positions as mandated by the Lodha Committee directives.
CAB's image has taken a beating after a series of controversies in the recent past while the performance of the state team has been lukewarm.
Finance committee member Subrata Saha was recently fined Rs 2 lakh and barred from sub-committee activities after being found guilty of conflict of interest, while the association itself was also penalised.
Earlier in August, joint-secretary Debabrata Das was suspended for six months over allegations of financial misconduct.
"Most organisations have issues to deal with. In the future, if there are issues it will be dealt in an appropriate manner,” Ganguly had said after filing his nomination last Sunday.
In his second innings as CAB president, Ganguly has outlined his priorities which include strengthening Bengal’s first-class cricket, boosting the Bengal Pro T20 League, promoting women’s cricket and developing grassroots structures.
“The cricketing system has to move forward. I’ll be trying to talk to our Ranji Trophy cricketers, but there’s no need for too many heads in the team. Players’ skills matter, after all. As an administrator, I’ll help them with the best possible things, and I will do it,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of committed administrators. “The ones selected (as office-bearers) can give time, which is very important for this organisation,” Ganguly said.
Commenting on his comeback, the former India captain added: “I would like to thank everyone for their support. There are important events coming up at the Eden Gardens.”
Among his first major responsibilities will be overseeing the India-South Africa opening Test at the Eden Gardens from November 14, the first at the iconic venue since the historic pink-ball clash against Bangladesh in 2019.
That landmark match incidentally was an initiative driven by Ganguly during his tenure as BCCI president and remains one of his major achievements.
The Eden is also expected to host marquee fixtures, including a knockout, during the T20 World Cup next year.
"I do not consider it as a challenge. I have eight years’ experience both as CAB and BCCI president. I will try and do my best. We will work together to take CAB and Bengal cricket ahead,” Ganguly asserted.
The former BCCI chief also stressed on reviving long-term initiatives. “We had a Vision project in place but due to Covid it had to be stopped. We would want it to restart. We also need to focus on junior cricket, club cricket, Bengal Pro T20 league,” he said.
Ganguly, who will represent CAB at the BCCI annual general meeting on September 28, returns to administration at a crucial juncture with the new Sports Act about to be implemented.
With the BCCI set to elect a new president following Roger Binny’s exit on age grounds, his presence in the national body’s corridors of power could again be significant.
Ganguly will also have to balance his administrative responsibilities with coaching duties, having been appointed head coach of Pretoria Capitals for the fourth edition of the SA20 league in South Africa from December 26 to January 25.
(With PTI Inputs)
