Sourav Ganguly's 4 biggest moves as BCCI President so far after 9-month tenure ends

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly garnered much admiration, both as a leader and as a player, while representing his national side during his playing days. Post his retirement in 2008, cricketer took up commentary duties and became a cricket administrator later. Between 2015 and October 2019, he served as President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), a role which he had to quit after being elected as President of richest cricket board in world, i.e. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

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Best of Sourav Ganguly’s run as BCCI President so far

Sourav Ganguly’s presidential run at BCCI officially came to an end on Monday, July 27. As per certain amendments proposed by Lodha reforms in 2015, any BCCI-related office-bearer, be it with a state association or board, should take a mandatory cooling-off period of three years after serving for six years. BCCI filed a plea to Supreme Court of India in December 2019 and proposed amendments to undo some Lodha reforms, with an intent to allow Sourav Ganguly to continue as President beyond his cut-off date of July 27. ‘Prince of Kolkata’ might still make a comeback into office as a final decision is expected to be made by Supreme Court regarding matter in August.

With Sourav Ganguly’s Presidential run coming to an abrupt end, at least for w, here is a look at some of his biggest achievements while helming BCCI office.

Organising India’s first-ever Day/Night Test

Within a month of being appointed as BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly pulled all strings to organise India’s first-ever Day/Night Test in country. second of two Tests between hosts India and Bangladesh in vember 2019 was turned into a Pink-Ball affair at iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Interestingly, prestigious cricket stadium chosen for historic occasion is also Ganguly’s home ground.

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Increasing pay of domestic players

In April this year, Sourav Ganguly anunced an increment of salaries for Indian domestic cricketers to incorporate flashiness of Indian Premier League (IPL) into country’s domestic structure. decision was reportedly made because BCCI President wanted Indian domestic players to get a substantial pay without feeling any regrets after ir retirements. Although pandemic could affect domestic cricket largely this season, players could be paid as per Ganguly's words since IPL 2020 is expected to happen and generate much-needed revenues for board. Interestingly, paycuts have yet been anunced by BCCI for any player in country.

IPL 2020: Planning, delaying and re-planning

much-awaited IPL 2020 season was originally intended to launch on March 29. However, Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI decided to postpone profitable event as safeguard measures for cricketers and spectators amidst ongoing coronavirus global pandemic. Under Ganguly’s regime, IPL 2020 season is w back on track and it is currently on course to be played in United Arab Emirates (UAE) between September 19 and vember 8.

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Proposing four-nation Super Series

In December 2019, Sourav Ganguly proposed an idea of a four-nation ODI Super Series involving India, Australia, England and a rotational fourth team on an annual basis. While its intention was to generate interest among fans for ODI cricket in of T20 cricket, many believed it was Ganguly’s way of standing up to International Cricket Council (ICC) by bringing back ‘Big Three’ formula of BCCI, which was earlier rejected by apex body. His proposal received praise across many quarters of cricketing fraternity, with n Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts terming suggestion as “invative”.

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Im credit: PTI