Sourav Ganguly travels to England with four-nation Super Series on cards

Ever since BCCI President Sourav Ganguly floated the idea of the big four super series involving India, England, Australia, and one more top nation; opinions have been divided whether this is another way to bring back the ‘Big Three’ formula of N Srinivasan or BCCI’s way of standing up to ICC who has cut the stature of the richest board in the cricket world.

The series is supposed to take place in 2021 but has already hit a roadblock as the BCCI has not received a nod from officials of Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This is more to do with the packed international calendar of the two cricketing giants, which would have to be altered to accommodate the said four-nation super series. It also needs the go-ahead from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as well.

In order to further the talks for the same with representatives of England cricket board and Cricket Australia, Sourav Ganguly, BCCI supremo will be flying to the United Kingdom to meet with them and address their concerns regarding the proposal. His agenda is to plan out the super series with the other two boards and also discuss which will be the fourth team to participate in. Apart from ECB and CA, ICC officials will also be consulted regarding the same.

Sourav Ganguly to meet CA, ECB and ICC officials 

“Yes, Ganguly headed to the UK from the Eden Gardens on Wednesday and there will be talks around the 4-nation tournament during his stay there. Cricket Australia officials could also join in. That depends on how things progress as some things need looking into,” a source privy to the details was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

In December, officials from the England board had released a statement regarding this issue and has mentioned that they have been in talks with leaders of major cricketing nations to discuss topics that impact the sport of cricket. “A four-nation tournament was raised at a meeting with the BCCI in December and we are open to discussions with other ICC members to see if this concept can develop,” read the statement.

With ICC planning to hold an event every year for the next eight years, increasing their ability to make profits; the four-nation super series might well be given a green signal.

Watch: Irfan Pathan’s interview post his retirement