Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday returned as the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after six years and picked out boosting Eden Gardens’ capacity to one lakh and securing marquee fixtures during next year’s T20 World Cup among his top priorities.
Ganguly was elected unopposed at the CAB’s 94th annual general meeting here on Monday, marking his comeback to the state association after six years. He earlier served as CAB president from 2015 to 2019.
He also pledged to oversee a smooth return of Test cricket to Eden Gardens when India hosts world champions South Africa on November 14.
The 53-year-old, who previously served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, replaced his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, who had to step down following the completion of a six-year tenure cap.
The former India left-hander’s immediate responsibility would be to prepare for the India vs South Africa opening Test in November — the first at Eden Gardens since the historic day-night pink-ball fixture against Bangladesh in 2019, which he had initiated during his stint as BCCI chief.
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Looking ahead, Ganguly expressed confidence that the clash would live up to expectations, given the stature of the two sides and the facilities at Eden Gardens.
“This will be a good Test match, South Africa being the world champion. I will think about it. Everything is there — good pitches, good crowd, infrastructure is there,” he said.
“You just have to hold it properly and make sure it’s a good match. India and South Africa both are good sides, I’m sure it will be a good Test.”
The Eden is also expected to stage high-profile matches in next year’s T20 World Cup, including a possible semifinal. Ganguly said discussions with the new BCCI team members would follow soon.
“I will speak to the Board. They are also new members. I wish him [Mithun Manhas – reported to be the new BCCI president] all the best. It would be different from playing cricket. I’m sure he would do well. It’s not just Mithun, a lot of new office bearers, including Raghuram Bhat,” said Ganguly, who will represent CAB at the BCCI annual general meeting on Sunday.
Ganguly also talked about his plans to expand Eden Gardens’ capacity. He said the project would take shape after the next year’s global event.
“Whatever happens it would be after the T20 World Cup next year. It will take time. The lease has been renewed.” If the expansion plan materialises after next year’s T20 World Cup, Eden Gardens would become the second-largest cricket stadium in the country after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, which has a seating capacity of 1.32 lakh.
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The Eden originally had a one-lakh-plus capacity, but gradually it has come down, keeping the spectators’ comfort in mind. Before the 2011 World Cup, it was reduced to the existing 68,000.
Outlining his priorities for the new term, Ganguly stressed strengthening Bengal’s first-class structure and the launch of a new state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala for which CAB has procured 9 cres of land.
“Dumurjala Academy on nine acres of land. It would be like Kalyani Academy, but there would be floodlights and other state-of-the-art facilities. It’s very near the city, the plan has been sanctioned and it will take at least one or one-and-a-half years.”
The CAB also increased its development funds to state units and district associations from Rs 5 crore to Rs 8 crore.
The entire panel led by Ganguly — Bablu Kolay (secretary), Madan Mohan Ghosh (joint-secretary), Sanjay Das (treasurer) and Anu Dutta (vice-president) — was also elected unopposed.
Published on Sep 22, 2025