BCCI AGM Festival Match: Sourav Ganguly plays quick-fire cameo; Jay Shah's Team wins by one run

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and several other officials of the board battled it out in a festival match ahead of BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). BCCI President’s XI and Secretary XI were the two sides on display with Ganguly and Jay Shah leading the teams respectively. The 15-overs-a-side match took place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday (December 3).

With Ganguly being one of India’s finest ever batters and captains, President’s XI were touted as favourites for this fixture. However, Ganguly’s team narrowly lost the content by one run. While Ganguly opened for the majority of his career in white-ball cricket, the southpaw played the role of finisher, coming out to bat at number six in the game.

Sourav Ganguly makes a quick-fire 35 in the friendly game

The left-handed batter had his fair share of nostalgia as he played some delightful shots all over the park. The cricket legend smashed two sixes and four boundaries en route to a 20-ball 35. Notably, he had to retire — as per the rules of the match — and his team fell short by just a run.

While Ganguly enjoyed an impressive outing with the bat, his opposite number Jay Shah made the ball talk. The BCCI secretary took 3/58 in seven overs with his off-spin bowling. Thanks to his brilliance, Secretary XI managed to defend 128 at the iconic venue.

Notably, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, one of Eden’s favourites, was one of Shah’s three victims. He was trapped lbw for 2. Shah also dismissed Suraj Lotlikar of Goa Cricket Association. Cricket Association of Bengal President Avishek Dalmiya was the spinner’s third victim, who got out on 13.

While Ganguly may have ended up on the losing side, he batted with his usual elegance and played some delightful shots in the off side. Azharuddin and Ganguly also shared the new ball and bowled 10 overs between them. Ganguly returned with 1/19 from his 3 overs, while Azharuddin figures’read: 2-0-8-0.

Brief scores:

BCCI Secretary’s XI: 128/3 in 15 overs (Jaydev Shah 40 retired, Arun Dhumal 36, Jay Shah 10 not out; Sourav Ganguly 1/19)

BCCI President’s XI: 127/5 in 15 overs (Sourav Ganguly 35 retired, Mohammad Azharuddin 2, Avishek Dalmiya 13; Jay Shah 3/58)