Sourav Ganguly elected as CAB President unopposed, succeeds brother Snehasish

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly is back at the helm of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). He was elected unopposed as president during the association’s 94th annual general meeting on Monday, September 22, ending a six-year gap since his previous tenure between 2015 and 2019.

The 53-year-old succeeds his elder brother, Snehasish Ganguly, who stepped down after completing the maximum six-year term. Ganguly, who also served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, now returns to state cricket administration with ambitious plans for the development of the sport within the Bengal circles.

One of his top priorities is to restore Eden Gardens’ seating capacity to 100,000, up from the current 68,000, a reduction made ahead of the 2011 World Cup. However, the legendary cricketer also confirmed that the expansion project would move forward only after next year’s T20 World Cup, as Eden is one of the premier cricketing venues slated to host the biannual tournament.

“Whatever happens it would be after the T20 World Cup next year. It will take time. The lease [for the Eden Gardens] has been renewed [by the Cricket Association of Bengal],” Ganguly said as quoted by Times of India.

The Eden Gardens is also set to play a key role in India’s cricket calendar. The iconic stadium will host the opening Test of the home series against the current World Test Championship winners South Africa on November 14, marking its first red-ball international fixture since the 2019 Day-Night Pink-Ball encounter between India and Bangladesh.

“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,” said Ganguly.

The ground is also expected to host high-profile matches during the 2026 T20 World Cup, possibly including a semifinal. Ganguly confirmed that he will soon hold discussions with the new BCCI office bearers. He also emphasized his focus on the long-term development of cricket in Bengal, highlighting plans for a state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala, Howrah, spread over 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, “ Ganguly said.

The CAB has also increased its development fund for districts from INR 5 crore to INR 8 crore. Alongside Ganguly, the entire panel, including Bablu Kolay as secretary, Madan Mohan Ghosh as joint secretary, Sanjay Das as treasurer, and Anu Dutta as vice-president, was elected unopposed.