Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday returned because the president of Cricket Affiliation of Bengal (CAB) after six years and picked out boosting Eden Gardens’ capability to at least one lakh and securing marquee fixtures throughout subsequent 12 months’s T20 World Cup amongst his prime priorities.
Ganguly was elected unopposed on the CAB’s 94th annual common assembly in Kolkata on Monday, marking his comeback to the state affiliation after six years. He earlier served as CAB president from 2015 to 2019.
He additionally pledged to supervise a clean return of Take a look at cricket to Eden Gardens when India hosts world champions South Africa on November 14.
The 53-year-old, who beforehand served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, changed his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, who needed to step down following the completion of a six-year tenure cap.
The previous India left-hander’s quick accountability could be to arrange for the India vs South Africa opening Take a look at in November — the primary at Eden Gardens because the historic day-night pink-ball fixture in opposition to Bangladesh in 2019, which he had initiated throughout his stint as BCCI chief.
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Wanting forward, Ganguly expressed confidence that the conflict would stay as much as expectations, given the stature of the 2 sides and the amenities at Eden Gardens.
“This shall be a very good Take a look at match, South Africa being the world champion. I’ll give it some thought. Every thing is there — good pitches, good crowd, infrastructure is there,” he stated.
“You simply have to carry it correctly and ensure it’s a very good match. India and South Africa each are good sides, I’m certain will probably be a very good Take a look at.”
The Eden Gardens can be anticipated to stage high-profile matches in subsequent 12 months’s T20 World Cup, together with a attainable semifinal. Ganguly stated discussions with the brand new BCCI group members would comply with quickly.
“I’ll communicate to the Board. They’re additionally new members. I want him [Mithun Manhas – reported to be the new BCCI president] all the most effective. It will be completely different from taking part in cricket. I’m certain he would do effectively. It’s not simply Mithun, loads of new workplace bearers, together with Raghuram Bhat,” stated Ganguly, who will signify CAB on the BCCI annual common assembly on Sunday.
Ganguly additionally talked about his plans to increase Eden Gardens’ capability. He stated the challenge would take form after the subsequent 12 months’s international occasion.
“No matter occurs it might be after the T20 World Cup subsequent 12 months. It should take time. The lease has been renewed.” If the growth plan materialises after subsequent 12 months’s T20 World Cup, Eden Gardens would change into the second-largest cricket stadium within the nation after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, which has a seating capability of 1.32 lakh.
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The Eden initially had a one-lakh-plus capability, however steadily it has come down, conserving the spectators’ consolation in thoughts. Earlier than the 2011 World Cup, it was decreased to the prevailing 68,000.
Outlining his priorities for the brand new time period, Ganguly careworn strengthening Bengal’s first-class construction and the launch of a brand new state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala for which CAB has procured 9 cres of land.
“Dumurjala Academy on 9 acres of land. It will be like Kalyani Academy, however there could be floodlights and different state-of-the-art amenities. It’s very near town, the plan has been sanctioned and it’ll take a minimum of one or one-and-a-half years.”
The CAB additionally elevated its improvement funds to state items and district associations from Rs 5 crore to Rs 8 crore.
All the panel led by Ganguly — Bablu Kolay (secretary), Madan Mohan Ghosh (joint-secretary), Sanjay Das (treasurer) and Anu Dutta (vice-president) — was additionally elected unopposed.
Printed on Sep 22, 2025