New Delhi: Former captain Sourav Ganguly has been handling the responsibility as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the last two years. During these challenging 26 months, he faced many criticisms. In this, he had to face the problems caused by Covid-19 but he was also accused of influencing the selectors. Now Ganguly himself has responded to these allegations.
Sourav Ganguly not only denied these allegations against himself but also reminded his critics that before becoming the BCCI President, he was a famous cricketer and played 424 international matches which included 113 Tests. When asked whether he influences the selection committee and takes part in meetings to put pressure on the selectors, Ganguly told PTI, “I don’t think I need to answer anyone on this. Some of these baseless allegations need to be made significant. I am the BCCI President and I do whatever the BCCI President should do.
He further said, ‘Let me also tell you, I saw a photo on social media in which I was shown sitting in the selection committee meeting. I would like to clarify that this photo (in which Ganguly, Jay Shah, Captain Virat Kohli, and Joint Secretary Jayesh George are seated) was not from the selection committee meeting. Jayesh George is not a part of the selection committee. I have played 424 international matches for India. It’s not a bad idea to get this to people occasionally. (laughs)
In relations with other board members, Ganguly said, “We have good relations with everyone. I have a wonderful relationship with Secretary Jay Shah. He is a good friend and a trusted colleague. Me, Jai, Arun (Dhumal), and Jayesh (George) have been working together in these two years to take the Board forward, especially during the difficult times of COVID-19. Make sure that cricket is played. I would say these 2 years have been wonderful. We have done this as a team.
On whether there will be any special celebration for India’s 1000th ODI, Ganguly clarified that it will not be possible due to the Covid-19 protocol. He said, ‘No… nothing like this will happen because everything is happening in the bio-bubble. We have to follow the Covid-19 protocol, so no big celebration is possible.
