I am in no hurry to become ICC president, it is once in a lifetime job: Sourav Ganguly

Ever since Shashank Manohar stepped down as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), there are speculations that Sourav Ganguly could succeed him in the position. Ganguly is currently the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), taking over last year. However, he is in “no hurry” to assume responsibility for the apex cricket board.

Lately, former cricketers like Graeme Smith and David Gower lauded Ganguly for his leadership abilities and vouched for him to become the next ICC chairman. Ganguly, who turned 48 years on July 8, had edged Colin Graves, the former chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as a contender for the ICC’s coveted post.

“I don’t know. At the end of the day, it depends on your board. It’s a decision which is jointly taken by the board. And the roles in ICC have changed. If you are an ICC independent chairman, you have to give up the position in your respective board. It’s not the same as before where you could hold both the positions. And it’s not a change from BCCI, it’s a change from ICC,” Ganguly told India Today.

I am young and you don’t do this forever: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly is currently in a bit of fix as the COVID-19 pandemic has made a hash of cricketing schedules around the world. The Indian Premier League (IPL), which was scheduled to start on March 29, had to be postponed for an indefinite time period.

For the time being, the Prince of Kolkata doesn’t wish to hurry into a decision. The veteran reckons that being an ICC chairman is an “honorary job” and said that the who’s who of cricket have gotten an average of one term during their stint.

“The current BCCI constitution allows you to hold a post. You are not allowed to hold 2 posts in the BCCI but you’re allowed to hold a post in the BCCI and in whatever, whether it’s the ACC or the ICC. But the ICC does not allow,” Ganguly stated.

“I don’t know whether it is right at this stage or whether I will be allowed at this stage to leave BCCI in the middle of all this. So, don’t know. That’s where it stands. And I am in no hurry. I am young and you don’t do this forever,” he added.