BCCI's new president Sourav Ganguly spoke to the media after taking charge in Mumbai. Here are 12 important things which he spoke at the BCCI's headquarters
Mumbai: After taking charge as the 39th president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (October 23), former India captain Sourav Ganguly promised a corruption-free administration besides sharing his thoughts on various issues.
Ganguly spoke to the media for the first time after being elected unopposed as BCCI president. He praised India skipper Virat Kohli and also spoke on Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Also read: Ganguly praises captain Kohli
1. On his new innings
“It's the first day I sat on a chair where some stalwarts have sat. It was the same when I became the captain as well. There were some great names who led the country before me. I have a role to do and I will do that to the best of my ability. It's an honour that I have been asked to take this role by the members when it's a new start for the BCCI. Coincidentally, fortunately, or unfortunately, when I started out as captain, it was the same state.
“This is a similar sort of situation where things need to be brought back in place, huge amounts of money need to be paid to state associations and reforms need to brought in. It's a new start. From that point of view, I find myself fortunate to be in a position where I can make a change.”
2. On BCCI's functioning
“I will do it my way. I will do it the way with no compromise on credibility, corruption-free and same-for-all BCCI, just as I led India.”
3. On Virat Kohli
“Virat Kohli is the most important man in Indian cricket, we will listen to him. Mutual respect will be there, opinions will be there. We will support him (Kohli) in every possible way, whatever he wants.”
4. On Mahendra Singh Dhoni
“India is very proud to have MS Dhoni. When you sit down and take note of what he has done, you say ‘wow’. Champions don't finish very quickly. Till I am around, everybody will be respected.”
5. On the new BCCI office bearers
"I will perform my role with utmost sincerity. All office bearers important for BCCI's functioning."
Mr. officially assumes office as President of the BCCI 📸📸 pic.twitter.com/D5rt6gTaA5
— BCCI (@BCCI)6. On improving lives of first-class cricketers
“We are here to make the lives of the cricketers easier and not more difficult. Everything will be decided on the basis of performance. (There will be) mutual respect. Opinions and discussions will be there.”
7. On ICC money to BCCI
“We are to get USD 372 million from ICC in five-year cycle and we will get our due.”
8. On domestic tournaments
“Domestic matches have doubled. So we will have to make sure the best tournament (Ranji Trophy) in the country remains competitive. That is where we get the Dhonis, Kohlis, Rahanes and Rohit Sharmas of Indian cricket.”
9. On Kohli's suggestion of having only 5 Test centres
“In terms of the Test venues, we have a lot of states, lot of venues. We will have to sit with him (Kohli) and see what he wants.”
10. On Clause 38 (a rule of BCCI about conflict of interest)
“It has to change. It is already being done by CoA, the administrators who vacated office today have already put it in SC. So, we'll see how far it gets modified.”
11. On the Apex Council
“The Apex Council can give any power to the office-bearers. The first thing done by the Apex Council will be to make sure we take care of the first-class cricketers.”
12. On Mumbai
"Mumbai is a great city for cricket. Look at the players it has given — (Sunil) Gavaskar, (Dilip) Vengsarkar, (Sachin) Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, (Ajinkya) Rahane."
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