Legendary India Captain Becomes New President of This Major Cricketing Body

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is regarded by supporters as the Prince of Calcutta, is set for a new role this time. During his tenure as captain of the Men in Blue, Ganguly achieved some noteworthy highlights, including the 2003 Adelaide Test triumph in Australia and the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy joint-success. He also guided India to the 2003 ICC World Cup final, where they lost to Australia.

Ganguly is seen as one of the best captains in the world. After taking retirement from cricket, he became the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) president in 2015 following Jagmohan Dalmiya's death. Later, in 2019, he was promoted as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), where he was instrumental in the development of cricket.

Sourav Ganguly To Become New CAB President

After serving as the BCCI chairman from 2019 to 2022, Sourav Ganguly has returned to cricket administration with his election as the next president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). After submitting his nomination earlier for the next CAB president on Sunday, the former captain of India was chosen without a challenge and would succeed his older brother, Snehasish at this role.

As Ganguly previously served as CAB president from 2015 to 2019 before resigning to take over at the BCCI, the richest cricket board in the world. The reappointment of Sourav Ganguly as CAB President is viewed as a stabilizing step in advance of state elections and impending reforms under the new Sports Act.

As the CAB reshuffles office-bearers in important positions, his leadership is anticipated to provide Bengal cricket with expertise and continuity. “I would like to thank everyone for their support. At CAB, there is no opposition; everyone is a part of this Association. We will all work together to take CAB & Bengal cricket ahead. There are important events coming up- Eden Gardens India’s Test match against South Africa, T20 World Cup, Bengal Pro T20 League. I will try and do my best," Ganguly said.

Ganguly will represent the Cricket Association of Bengal at the next BCCI annual general meeting in Mumbai on September 28 once he returns as president. He was nominated by the Apex Council of CAB overwhelmingly to represent the board at the AGM.

The state association's office-bearers will undergo a thorough revamp. President Amalendu Biswas, Vice-President, Secretary Naresh Ojha, Treasurer Prabir Chakraborty, and Joint Secretary Debabrata Das are all nearing the end of their tenure. According to the reports, Das has previously been suspended by the Apex Council due to claims of financial impropriety.

Sourav Ganguly's New Role in SA20

Recently, Sourav Ganguly replaced Jonathan Trott as the head coach of the SA20 team Pretoria Capitals for the next campaign last month. Pretoria has had mixed results in the SA20 thus far; they won the group stage in the first season but lost to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final. Pretoria had mediocre seasons in the next two seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25), as they missed out on the playoffs.

However, ahead of the SA20, the former India batter shocked everyone during the SA20 auction. During the SA20, he played a key role in roping in Dewald Brevis for 16.50 million Rand as the most expensive player in SA20 history. After being elected for a second term as CAB's President, it would be fascinating to know if Ganguly will remain the head of cricket at JSW Sports, which manages the Pretoria Capitals.