'If Guv wants to meet you...': Sourav Ganguly responds on speculations of joining BJP

BCCI President and former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Sunday held an hour-long meeting with West Bengal Goverr Jagdeep Dhankhar, which PTI sources at Raj Bhavan described as a "courtesy call" and said re is thing political about it. re has also been speculation that he may join politics with Assembly elections in state due in April-May next year.

'Let us keep it like that'

On Monday, Ganguly was asked if he or anyone from his family would join BJP, to which he replied, "If Goverr wants to meet you, you have to meet him. So let us keep it like that." According to media reports, Sourav Ganguly on Sunday said his meeting with Goverr was mere courtesy and re was room for speculation.

Goverr Dhankhar on Sunday said that y had a discussion on "varied issues". Goverr also said that he accepted Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president's invitation to visit Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. Ganguly reached Raj Bhavan at around 4.30 pm and meeting lasted for an hour. 

BCCI AGM approves 10 teams for 2022 IPL

Meanwhile, BCCI's governing body, last week ratified entry of two new franchises in IPL to make it a 10-team affair from 2022 during its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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In ar major development, Board, in principle, decided to back ICC's bid for inclusion of cricket, in T20 format, in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics "after getting some clarifications from International Olympic Committee". "Two new teams will be introduced in 2022 IPL," a Board source told PTI.

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Also, it was decided that all first-class players, both men and women, will be suitably compensated for curtailed domestic season due to COVID-19 pandemic. BCCI plans to get domestic season underway, after several months' delay, in January with Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 championship.

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In or decisions, veteran Congress leader Rajiv Shukla has officially ainted Board's vice president in place of his protege Mahim Verma from Uttarakhand. It was also learnt that general body decided in favour of Sourav Ganguly continuing as a director in ICC Board. Secretary Jay Shah will be alternate director as well as India's representative at Chief Executive Committee meets of global body.

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(With ncy inputs)