After six years, former India captain Sourav Ganguly returned to his position as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Monday. Among his top concerns were increasing Eden Gardens’ capacity to one lakh and arranging high-profile matches during the T20 World Cup the following year.
After six years, Ganguly returned to the state association on Monday when he was elected unopposed at the CAB’s 94th annual general meeting in Kolkata. He formerly presided over CAB from 2015 to 2019.
He also vowed to ensure the smooth return of Test cricket to Eden Gardens when India takes on reigning World champions South Africa on November 14.
The 53-year-old, who was the BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, took over after his older brother, Snehasish Ganguly, stepped down after his six-year term was over.
The former India left-hander’s first task will be preparing for the India–South Africa series opener in November — Eden Gardens’ first Test since the landmark day-night clash against Bangladesh in 2019, a fixture he had pioneered as BCCI president.
Given the importance of the two teams and the facilities at Eden Gardens, Ganguly said he was confident the match will live up to the hype.
“This will be a good Test match, South Africa being the world champions. I will think about it. Everything is there — good pitches, good crowd, infrastructure is there,” he said.
“You just have to hold it properly and make sure it’s a good match. India and South Africa both are good sides, I’m sure it will be a good Test.”
Ganguly, however, emphasized that there is still ample time before the big occasion.
“I’ve not really thought about it, there is still two months left,” he remarked.
Eden Gardens is also likely to host marquee fixtures in next year’s T20 World Cup, potentially including a semi-final. Ganguly said he would soon hold discussions with the new BCCI office-bearers on the matter.
“I will speak to the Board. They are also new members. I wish him (new BCCI president) all the best. It would be different than playing cricket. I’m sure he would do well. It’s not just Mithun, a lot of new office bearers including Raghuram Bhat,” said Ganguly who would represent CAB at the BCCI annual general meeting on Sunday.
At the AGM in Mumbai on Sunday, the BCCI is set to elect former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas as its new president. Following internal discussions, all positions will be filled unopposed. Raghuram Bhat, a former spinner for India and Karnataka, will assume the role of treasurer.
Ganguly also discussed his intentions to increase Eden Gardens’ capacity. After the global event the next year, he added, the project will take shape.
“Whatever happens it would be after the T20 World Cup next year. It will take time. The lease has been renewed.”
If the expansion plan goes through after next year’s T20 World Cup, Eden Gardens will become the second-largest cricket stadium in India, behind only the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, which can accommodate 1.32 lakh spectators.
With the comfort of the fans in mind, the Eden’s capacity has gradually decreased from its initial one-lakh+ capacity. It was lowered to the current 68,000 prior to the 2011 World Cup.
Ganguly outlined his goals for the upcoming term, emphasizing the development of a new, cutting-edge academy in Dumurjala, for which CAB has purchased nine acres of property, as well as the reinforcement of Bengal’s first-class structure.
“Bengal have played (Ranji) final twice. Cricket must develop, it’s no rocket science.”
The Dumurjala Academy in Howrah is one of his long-term initiatives; it has already received approval.
“Dumurjala Academy on nine acres of land. It would be like Kalyani Academy but there would be floodlights and other state-of-the-art facilities. It’s very near to the city, the plan has been sanctioned, it will take at least one, one and a half years. It will be an academy.”
In light of India’s Olympic ambition, there was also discussion about extending CAB’s Vision 2020 Program to 2036.
“We want to produce cricketers who can represent India at the Olympics, so 2036 should be the next target,” said an official.
Additionally, the CAB raised the amount of development funding it provided to district associations and state units from Rs 5 crore to Rs 8 crore.
The entire Ganguly-led panel, which included vice-president Anu Dutta, joint-secretary Madan Mohan Ghosh, secretary Bablu Kolay, and treasurer Sanjay Das, was also elected unopposed.
