Taking over at a time when BCCI image has got hampered: Sourav Ganguly

new BCCI President-elect Sourav Ganguly on Monday said, "It's a great opportunity for him to do something good" as he is taking over reigns of board at a time when it's im has got a serious beating. Ganguly pipped Brijesh Patel in a see-saw battle and is expected to be only presidential minee. "You need to wait till 3 pm in afteron," Ganguly told PTI during an interaction.

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Ganguly on being BCCI President-elect

"Obviously, it's a great feeling as I have played for country and captained country. 

"And I am taking over at a time when BCCI has t been in greatest of position for last three years. Its im has got hampered quite a lot. It's a great opportunity for me to do something good," said former India captain, who will have to demit office in July, due to compulsory cooling off period. Ganguly also said his first priority in short tenure would be to look after "first-class cricketers". 47-year-old plans to meet all stakeholders in Indian cricket and wants to do something that Committee of ministrators (CoA) didn't do for 33 months.

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"We will speak to everyone first as we take a decision but my biggest priority will be to look after first class cricketers. I h requested that to CoA for three years and y didn't listen. That's first thing I will do, look after financial health of our first-class cricketers," said Ganguly, who scored more than 18,000 international runs.

Being selected upposed is a big responsibility, he mitted. "Wher upposed or t, re has to be responsibility as it is biggest organisation in world cricket. Financially, India is a cricketing powerhouse, so it will be a challenge," he said. Does he regret that term will be only for nine months?

"Yes, that's rule and we will deal with it." For someone, who has won many close ODIs for India, Ganguly was emotionally intrigued by how board room politics worked.

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"I didnt kw I would be President when I came down. You (reporter) asked me and I told you it's Brijesh and when I went up and I came to kw it has changed. I have never been in a BCCI election and I never knew it worked like this," he said. He h a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday and when asked about wher he will have to campaign for BJP in Bengal, he answered in negative. ", thing of that sort. body told me anything," Ganguly said. Jagmohan Dalmiya has pulled off some amazing board room coups and talking about late BCCI boss, Ganguly got emotional.

"I have never imagined so (that I will be in shoes of late Jagmohan Dalmiya). He has been like a far to me. re have been some great presidents of BCCI, Mr Srinivasan, Anurag, who have done great job," he said. So will it be different from captaincy? Ganguly answered, "thing can beat being an India captain." 

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