Sourav Ganguly Set to Become BCCI President

As Board of Control for Cricket in India is on its re-structuring drive, in a dramatic turn of events, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly emerged as an important and consensus candidate, set to be BCCI’s new President, after Brijesh Patel failed to grab the coveted post. 

On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah is going to be the new Secretary of the board that controls cricket in India, while Arun Dhumal will be the new treasurer of the newly formed board. Dhumal is the younger brother of Minister of State Finance and former BCCI president Anurag Thakur. 

For the election, Monday is the last day to file nomination, but there will be no election since all candidates have already emerged unopposed, after weeks of lobbying and hectic parleys. The 47-year-old Sourav Ganguly, who is presently the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, (CAB) and has to demit his post by September, 2020. So far Brijesh Patel, backed by Tamil Nadu strongman N Srinivasan, emerged Presidential candidate, as Sourav Ganguly remained non-committal on campaigning for the BJP in the 2021 state assembly elections.

You never know, Sourav Ganguly can also another give masterstroke, starting a political innings to play a decisive role in the politics of West Bengal, which is due for assembly election in the year 2021.

Critics believe there must be some understanding, as things changed dramatically. A senior official from North East affiliated unit speaking to news agency PTI said, “Yes, Brijesh was running for the President's post with N Srinivasan actively lobbying for him. However, there was stiff resistance against him. We are happy Sourav is the new President”.

As the choice for the Post of President was always between Sourav Ganguly and Brijesh Patel and as the former is finally accepted as the unanimous candidate for the Post of the President of BCCI. Now, when the new office bearers assume their office, it will thus end a 33-month term of the previous Committee of Administrators, which has called shots in running the cricket administration in the country, post-Lodha Committee reforms. 

Meanwhile, former Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad has beat Kirti Azad and elected as male ICA representative on the BCCI’s nine-member Apex Council, while Shanta Rangaswamy was earlier elected unopposed as female ICA representative. 

Sourav Ganguly, who is presently the President of CAB or Cricket Association of Bengal has established himself as one of the world’s leading batsmen and is also regarded as one of the greatest captains of the Indian national cricket team. He is also known as God of the Offside, because of his prolific through the off side and Strokeplay square of the wicket through the covers.