'They will come' - Sourav Ganguly confident of India-Bangladesh series going ahead as per schedule

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is just a day away from taking over as the new BCCI president. The legendary cricketer had filed his nomination for the post earlier this month and is set to be elected unopposed. But even before his official appointment, Sourav Ganguly faces a big task as India’s upcoming series against Bangladesh is in doubt after the latter’s players went on a strike on Monday.

Led by senior cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh cricketers held a press-conference in Dhaka and put out an 11-point demand. The players warned the Bangladesh Cricket Board that they would not take part in any cricket-related activity until and unless their demands are met. Most of the demands are financial commitments that the board has to make publicly.

Unsurprisingly, there are apprehensions that the feud between the Bangladesh board and the players could jeopardize their tour of India. However, Sourav Ganguly is confident that things will go ahead as scheduled. Ganguly called the strike an internal matter and insisted that the board and the players will solve it in time.

“It is their internal matter, but they will sort out, they will come,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by The Times of India. Asked if he would be speaking to the Bangladesh Cricket Board in the capacity of BCCI President, Ganguly said it is an internal matter. “It is their internal matter. I speak to the BCB, but this doesn’t come under me,” he said.

Bangladesh are set to visit India for the series next month. The Tigers will play three T20Is and a couple of Tests against India. The T20I series will kickstart the tour on November 3. This is just the second time, Bangladesh will be touring India. They had toured India for the first time in 2017 for a one-off Test match.

Demands of Bangladesh players

The players’ main demand is to improve the condition of the domestic structure. The players have asked for better remuneration, better traveling and better staying conditions for domestic players. They have also demanded the improvement of practice facilities. The players have also demanded that the Bangladesh Premier League return to franchise format. Bangladesh Cricket Board recently decided to do away with the franchise-based format after a fallout with the franchises.