Sourav Ganguly to be next CAB president: Reports

Sourav Ganguly to be next CAB president: Reports: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly will meet Mamata Bannerjee, the West Bengal chief minister on Wednesday. The meeting is likely to throw some light on whether ‘Dada’ can take over the post of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president in the aftermath of the sudden demise of veteran cricket administrator and BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, according to a NDTV report. Ganguly is currently a joint secretary of the state association.

Dalmiya took his last breath on Sunday leaving a leadership vaccum in not only the BCCI but the CAB as well. While questions over who the next BCCI president continue, CAB could get a worthy replacement in Ganguly as its head if reports are to be believed. CAB sources say that Ganguly has the backing of Mamata Bannerjee, who will play a crucial role in deciding the next president.

“During Dalmiya’s funeral on Monday, Didi had asked Sourav to take Dalmiya’s legacy forward,” said a former CAB official who was present during the ceremony. While the massive support Ganguly enjoys in Bengal can work for him, the lack of experience in cricket administration might present some challenges as well. Ganguly has been the joint-secretary of the governing body for a little over a year and was known to be close to Dalmiya.

The left handed batsman is also a part of BCCI’s cricket advisory committee along with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. Currently, there are two former BCCI officials Chitrak Mitra and Gautam Dasgupta, who might be contesting for the president’s chair. Current CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey, who enjoys a lot of clout among association units, is also a strong contender. Now it will all depend on who the 121 units will vote as the next president of the Cricket Association of Bengal.