Mamata Banerjee Paves Way for Sourav Ganguly to Become Bengal Cricket Boss

Sourav Ganguly will succeed late Jagmohan Dalmiya as the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). This was announced by state chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Thursday evening. "In this crisis period, someone has to take Dalmiya's legacy forward. I feel Sourav is the right man," the Trinamool Congress chief said.(Bitter Power Struggle)

 Former India captain Ganguly is currently the joint-secretary of CAB. He has served in this role for 14 months. "Ganguly will decide the association's line-up now," said Banerjee, who added that Dalmiya's son Abhishek will also be part of the plans. In the new set-up, Dalmiya junior could become a joint secretary. (BCCI President Hunt Hits Treacherous Pitch)

"I have worked with the CAB officials for 14 months and everything is a challenge. We will speak to all the 121 members and discuss the way forward. I will do whatever I can. Very happy that Dalmiya's son will also be part of CAB. It's a big hole to fill," said Ganguly.

Current CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey, who was seen as a presidential candidate, said: "It is an emotional moment for us. It is not even three days that Mr Dalmiya has died and to find a solution is a good way forward." Earlier, Dey had told NDTV.com "any political pressure will be bad precedent for an association which has always managed to stay away from the clutches of political bigwigs."

To dispel any doubts that she had created pressure on CAB officials  to accept Ganguly as a president, the West Bengal chief minister added: "Sourav has been an Indian cricket team captain, now let him lead Bengal cricket. Make no mistake that I am not making a decision for CAB, it is my way of supporting cricket, which is not my cup of tea."

Abhishek Dalmiya's inclusion is a surprise of sorts. However, he had been looking after his ailing father's day-to-day affairs and should have some idea about CAB's administrative mechanism. But to pitchfork him in an executive role, usually given to members who have spent considerable amount of time among clubs or districts, seems premature.

Ganguly's elevation as Bengal cricket boss will be met with some cynicism among senior members like ex-BCCI secretary Gautam Dasgupta and Board vice-president Chitrak Mitra. Both were candidates to succeed Dalmiya but the blistering pace at which the chief minister took control and decided on a successor has taken the cricket fraternity in Bengal by surprise.