Sourav Ganguly, a towering figure in Indian cricket, has once again taken the reins as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). His unopposed election on Monday at the association’s 94th annual general meeting marks his return to the top administrative post after a six-year break, having previously served from 2015 to 2019.
The 53-year-old cricketing legend steps into the role previously held by his elder brother, Snehasish Ganguly, who completed his maximum six-year tenure. This new chapter sees Ganguly, who also presided over the BCCI between 2019 and 2022, bringing a fresh wave of ambitious plans to state cricket.
Among his foremost priorities is the ambitious project to expand Eden Gardens’ seating capacity to a staggering one lakh spectators. The iconic venue currently accommodates around 68,000 fans, a reduction implemented before the 2011 World Cup. Ganguly clarified that this expansion would commence only after the T20 World Cup next year, noting, “Whatever happens it would be after the T20 World Cup next year. It will take time. The lease has been renewed.”
Eden Gardens is slated to play a pivotal role in India’s upcoming cricket calendar. The stadium is set to host the opening Test of India’s home series against South Africa on November 14, marking its first Test match since the 2019 day-night pink-ball encounter against Bangladesh. Expressing his excitement, Ganguly remarked, “This will be a good Test match, South Africa being the world champions… India and South Africa both are good sides, I’m sure it will be a good Test.”
Furthermore, the ground is anticipated to host high-stakes matches during the 2026 T20 World Cup, with a potential semifinal among them. Ganguly confirmed his intentions to engage in discussions with the newly appointed BCCI office bearers regarding these fixtures.
Beyond these marquee events, Ganguly emphasized his dedication to the long-term development of Bengal cricket. He unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala, Howrah, spanning nine acres and equipped with floodlights and modern facilities. “It would be like Kalyani Academy but there would be floodlights and other state-of-the-art facilities… the plan has been sanctioned, it will take at least one, one and a half years,” he stated.
In a boost for grassroots cricket, the CAB also significantly increased its development fund for districts, raising it from ₹5 crore to ₹8 crore. The new leadership panel, elected unopposed alongside Ganguly, includes Bablu Kolay as secretary, Madan Mohan Ghosh as joint secretary, Sanjay Das as treasurer, and Anu Dutta as vice-president, signaling a strong and unified front for Bengal cricket’s future.