Dubai: Sourav Ganguly, arguably India’s most successful captain, is set to take up an advisory role in the running of the national team.
The top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are understood to have met Ganguly and discussed his role and an announcement is on the cards by Tuesday.
Popularly known as ‘dada’ (elder brother) among the cricketing fraternity and his fans, Ganguly will play a significant role in Team India’s future as either a High Performance manager or director. A final decision on his role is expected late on Monday following a meeting at BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya’s residence in Kolkata. The meeting is meant to strengthen the coaching staff and management of Team India with an eye to ensure that Team India improves its overseas record.
Ganguly is understood to have turned down the role of a ‘coach’ as he is not keen to give up his post as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary, while he devotes time for his India Super League (ISL) football team Atletico de Kolkata as a co-owner. Moreover, an ageing Dalmiya will be wanting Ganguly as a personal adviser in major administrative decisions regarding running of the BCCI.
According to information filtering in, the BCCI will form a cricket advisory committee with Ganguly to play the lead role. The BCCI will thus scrap the position of Team Director’s post, which is being held by Ravi Shastri. Considering the excellent work done by Shastri during the Australia tour and ICC 2015 World Cup, he will be made a member of the cricket committee. Efforts are also on to rope in Sachin Tendulkar as another member of this committee.
Dalmiya and BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur have, through separate interviews, remarked that Ganguly will take an advisory role though did not specify the title to his position. Ganguly’s role will commence from the Team India’s tour of Bangladesh. However, it will be interesting to watch how some the Team India’s senior members, especially the two captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli will gell with Ganguly, who can be a tough task master.
A decision on who should be the next Team India coach will also be decided by the Cricket Advisory Committee. It is understood that the names of a few foreign coaches are under consideration.
Many believe that Ganguly returning to the India’s dressing room will be exciting and can be a big boost for youngsters. Ganguly has reportedly made it clear that whatever role that is being bestowed on him, it should be for
a longer duration with the task of grooming a strong Team India squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup.
