Guha targets BCCI Prez Ganguly, says his greed for money is shocking

Ramchandra Guha has attacked BCCI President and former India captain, Sourav Ganguly, accusing him of being greedy over petty money.

Guha, launching an attack on the Kolkata born said, “Look at Ganguly today—head of the Board and representing some cricket fantasy game, this kind of greed for money among Indian cricketers is shocking.” Guha was being interviewed by Mid Day post the launch of his book - The Commonwealth of Cricket: A Lifelong Love Affair with the Most Subtle and Sophisticated Game Known to Humankind.

To contrast the BCCI boss’ image, the historian presented former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi as an example. “The most telling story in my book is about Bishan Singh Bedi saying that he is happy to go to Kabul [to coach Afghan cricketers]—anywhere for cricket and not anywhere for money,” he said.

“Why should Ganguly be doing all these things for a little extra money?” Gugha asked.  

“Ethical standards go down if the president of the Board behaves like this. What Ganguly is doing now is incorrect and no other country would allow it,” said Guha, differentiating how cricket is seen and represented in different countries.  

The former member of the Committee of Administrators did not hold back anything on attacking the overarching influence of the cricket board in India and how it is doing more harm than good to the game. He illustrated that through the case of commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.

“Gags on commentators are bad. That Sanjay Manjrekar has to beg to be readmitted [in the commentary team] is pathetic. Why should the Board have [power over] commentary? It's absurd. It never happens anywhere in the world. Can you imagine the English Premier League doing this?” he said.

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