Sourav Ganguly's BCCI presidency challenged by MPCA official after reported ICC nomination

Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association's life member Sanjeev Gupta has questioned Sourav Ganguly's continuation as President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Sanjeev Gupta reckoned that BCCI's new rulebook does t allow Sourav Ganguly to function as BCCI President since he has been minated as a member of International Cricket Council (ICC) Board. Sourav Ganguly joined as chief of BCCI last year, and since n, has taken some landmark decision.

ALSO READ | Graeme Smith lauds Sourav Ganguly, calls for IPL over T20 World Cup this year: Report

mination to ICC Board disqualifies Sourav Ganguly to continue as BCCI President: Sanjay Gupta

Sourav Ganguly was included in ICC Board as a BCCI representative soon after attending its last meeting on March 28. BCCI President has emerged as a contender for  post of ICC chairman, which is soon going to be vacant. On Sunday, Sanjeev Gupta sent an email to Sourav Ganguly and or officials, according to  Hindu, where he stated that new BCCI rulebook disallows anyone from functioning as BCCI President once he has been minated to ICC board.

ALSO READ | Sourav Ganguly terms current situation 'grave', recalls lack of excitement with crowds

Sanjeev Gupta stated that according to Rule 14(9) of BCCI constitution “it is amply clear that as soon as you are minated to ICC, your post as BCCI president will get vacated automatically forthwith.” However, a BCCI official dismissed Sanjay Gupta’s objection saying that clause should come into effect only if an office-bearer is elected to ICC. Orwise, BCCI will be forced to minate someone or than an office-bearer, which will be ridiculous. 

Interestingly, Sanjeev Gupta is same person who started a conflict-of-interest campaign against high-profile names like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav Ganguly when new reforms were introduced in BCCI’s constitution post-Lodha reforms.

ALSO READ | Ex-India coach Greg Chappell urges Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI to t give up Test cricket

Graeme Smith roots for BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to lead ICC

Graeme Smith, who is also a former captain of South African cricket team, has gone on to say that his former Indian counterpart and current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly is best positioned to lead International Cricket Council (ICC). Graeme Smith said that he kws Sourav Ganguly well as he had played against him a number of times and worked with him as an administrator and on television.

Smith added that he feels that Ganguly has got credibility, leadership skills and is someone that can really take game forward. He believes that more than anything, that is needed right w for ICC, which is reeling at moment due to coronavirus pandemic stopping international cricket. ICC's elections are slated to be held in July this year and Smith said that having a former cricketer as ICC President will help everyone involved.

ALSO READ | Sourav Ganguly can easily be made angry: Russell Arld recalls 2002 CT final 'fight'

IM COURTESY: BCCI OFFICIAL