Ganguly Set to Be Next BCCI Prez, Amit Shah’s Son New Secretary

Sourav Ganguly.

(Photo: Shruti Mathur/The Quint)

In a dramatic turn of events, former captain Sourav Ganguly emerged as consensus candidate to be BCCI's new President after Brijesh Patel appeared to have grabbed the coveted post late on Sunday, 13 October, night.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's son Jay Shah will be the new secretary while Arun Dhumal will be the new treasurer. Dhumal is younger brother of MoS Finance and former BCCI president Anurag Thakur.

IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla on Monday, confirmed that Ganguly had been selected as the new BCCI president after the ex-cricketer filed his nomination, but said that the final announcement would be made on 23 October.

Monday is the last day to file nomination but no election will be held since all candidates have emerged unopposed after weeks of lobbying and hectic parleys.

Taking Over When BCCI’s Image is Hampered: Ganguly

Reacting to the development, the new BCCI president-elect Ganguly said it's a great opportunity for him to do something good as he is taking over the reigns of the board at a time when it's image has got a serious beating.

"Obviously, it's a great feeling as I have played for the country and captained the country,” said the former India captain, who will have to demit office in July, due to compulsory cooling off period.

“I am taking over at a time when BCCI has not been in greatest of position for the last three years. Its image has got hampered quite a lot. It’s a great opportunity for me to do something good.”

For someone, who has won many close ODIs for India, Ganguly was emotionally intrigued by how the board room politics worked.

“I didn’t know I would be the 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 know it has changed.”

Ganguly also said his first priority in the short tenure would be to look after "first-class cricketers".

Ganguly to Serve for 10 Months Only

Ganguly, one of the finest Indian captains, will turn a new leaf albeit for 10 months even as a new chapter starts in Indian cricket.

Typically like his administrative guru Jagmohan Dalmiya, Ganguly pulled a match that looked all but lost till he pulled it off at the last moment.

Brijesh, backed by Tamil Nadu strongman N Srinivasan, emerged Presidential candidate when Ganguly remained non-committal on campaigning for the BJP in the 2021 state assembly elections.

However, when most of the state units opposed the 'understanding', things changed dramatically.

“Yes, Brijesh was running for the President’s post with N Srinivasan actively lobbying for him. However, there was stiff resistance against him. We are happy Sourav is the new President,” a senior official from North East affiliated unit, told PTI.

The choice for President's post was always between Ganguly and Patel and the former was finally accepted as an unanimous candidate.

Patel could become IPL chairman.

When the new office bearers assume office, it will end a 33-month term of the Committee of Administrators, which called shots in running the cricket affairs in country post Lodha Committee reforms.

Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad beat Kirti Azad to be elected as male ICA representative on BCCI's nine-member Apex Council. Shanta Rangaswamy was earlier elected unopposed as female ICA representative.