“Judge Jay Shah on his performance, not as Amit Shah’s son," says BCCI President Sourav Ganguly

The new BCCI board has been proactive in their working ever since taking over under the leadership of former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly, who was previously the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal has brought in a team that is young but experienced in cricketing administration.

Jay Shah from Gujarat Cricket Association is another name which is in limelight given that he is the son of the home minister of India and former BJP President Amit Shah. Arun Singh Dhumal, younger brother of former BCCI President Anurag Thakur is the treasurer, while Jayesh George (joint-secretary), and Mahim Verma (vice president) make up the rest of the office-bearers of the new-look team.

BCCI President Ganguly however, has asked the Indian cricket fans and people to judge Jay Shah as an individual and on the work he does, instead of seeing him as the son of Amit Shah. He gave the example of Sachin Tendulkar and his son Arjun and how he is judged on his father, instead of his individual performances. He named the Waugh brothers and Currans brothers, who have represented Australia and England respectively in Tests and were judged on their performances.

Nothing wrong in influential people holding important posts: Sourav Ganguly

“I want to say the same thing for Jay Shah. So, what if he is Amit Shah’s son? He has won an election. He has been involved in the Gujarat cricket association for the last 6-7 years. He should be allowed to be on his own. His father is a politician. He is not. I think he should be judged independently. It’s been just a month I have started working with him. He is adjustable, he is fantastic, he wants to work for the good of Indian cricket,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“Why should Tendulkar’s son be stopped from playing because he is Tendulkar’s son. It doesn’t happen in Australia, doesn’t happen in England. Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh played in Australia. They were brothers and both went on to play 100 Tests. Tom Curran and Sam Curran are playing for England. I see this as an issue. Everybody has to be judged as individuals,” Ganguly added.

The 47-year-old former captain opined that there was nothing wrong with influential people holding important positions in cricket board. He felt that cricket is the biggest thing in this part of the world and it attracts people of big repute, something hat has happened in the past and will continue to happen in the future as well. He further said that many such people do it for the love of the game, instead of just for the money or the fact they are powerful.

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