New BCCI chief speaks on India-Pak cricket

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain who is set to become the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has many plans ready before he officially takes charge of Indian cricket on 23 October.

Ganguly spoke about the possibility of India-Pakistan resuming bilateral ties and said that the idea needed the approval of the political leadership of the two countries.

You have to ask that question to Modiji and the Pakistan Prime Minister. Of course we have (to take permission), because international exposure (tours) is all through governments. So we don’t have an answer to that question. – Sourav Ganguly, President Elect, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

The two countries last played in a bilateral series in 2012, when India hosted Pakistan for a limited-overs series made up of two T20 Internationals and three One-day Internationals.

Ganguly led India on the historic tour of Pakistan in 2004. This was the bilateral series since the 1999 Kargil War in 1999 and India’s first visit to Pakistan since 1989.

After the 14 February terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, the BCCI had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) “to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates”. This was seen as a reference to Pakistan.

Regarding M S Dhoni’s future in Indian cricket, Ganguly said that he would speak to the selectors. Dhoni is yet to announce his international retirement. “I will find out from the selectors when I meet them on October 24. We will find out what the selectors are thinking and then I will put forth my opinion,” said Ganguly.

He also said that he would speak to Dhoni. “We will have to see what Dhoni wants. I will also speak to him what he wants to do and what he does not want to do.”

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