Ravi Shastri backs Ganguly to bring 'BCCI back to the path of glory'

India's head coach Ravi Shastri congratulated newly-elected BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and said that it was a 'win-win for Indian cricket as 'Dada' took over the reins. In an interview with a news portal, Ravi Shastri hailed Ganguly's election as the board's president and said that it was an indication that the Indian cricket was heading in the right direction. Ganguly assumed office formally on October 23 after he was elected sans opposition as the 39th BCCI President, becoming only the second cricketer to do so in 65 years. Ganguly set his priorities straight from the moment he assumed charge and has promised to improve the standards of first-class and domestic cricket primarily. 

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Ravi Shastri heaps praise on Ganguly

Terming Ganguly as a 'natural leader', Ravi Shastri said that Ganguly's experience as an administrator for five years prior to taking over the reins of the BCCI would be a 'win-win' situation for Indian cricket and that he hoped Ganguly would bring the BCCI back to its path of glory. Wishing Ganguly luck for the future, Ravi Shastri also backed the former Indian skipper to get BCCI's dues of $372 million from the ICC. Both Ravi Shastri and Ganguly have put aside their 'differences' and have been positive about each other. While Ganguly has already praised Ravi Shastri for the Indian team doing extremely well under him, the head coach has also backed Ganguly as the BCCI's President and believes that he will help cricket grow in the right direction in India. 

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VVS Laxman wants NCA revived

Former India batsman VVS Laxman wants his former colleague and newly-elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to revive the National Cricket Academy, which he said was key to nurture future stars. VVS Laxman, who is also a consultant for CAB's special project 'vision 2020', was one of the special invitees along with Mohammed Azharuddin at the Cricket Association of Bengal's felicitation ceremony for Sourav Ganguly. For the past few years NCA, which was supposed to be the feeder line of Indian cricket, has actually become a rehabilitation center, which even Ganguly acknowledged after taking over. 

"If you ask me one thing, it would be how Sourav Ganguly can revive the NCA. The greatness of this Indian team is their bench strength," VVS Laxman said. Making his point clear, Laxman cited the example of South Africa's recent Test series humiliation at the hands of India. "You look at this South Africa side and it is the most depleted I have seen. This is because their domestic structure is not strong. The reason why the Indian team is doing well is that the domestic structure is so good. Through the NCA, you can produce future champions for a long period of time."

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