Ganguly returns as CAB chief, sets sights on Eden expansion

Sourav Ganguly returned to the helm of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after six years, elected unopposed as president at the body's 94th annual general meeting in Kolkata yesterday.

The former India captain, who earlier served from 2015 to 2019 before moving on to head the BCCI, has replaced his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly following the latter's completion of the six-year tenure cap.

Among Ganguly's first priorities will be to oversee the smooth return of Test cricket to Eden Gardens when India face world champions South Africa on November 14, the venue's first red-ball fixture since the historic day-night Test against Bangladesh in 2019 – an initiative he had championed as BCCI chief.

"This will be a good Test match, South Africa being the world champions. The pitches, crowd and infrastructure are all there. You just have to hold it properly and make sure it's a good match," Ganguly said.

The 53-year-old also has an eye on next year's T20 World Cup, with Eden Gardens in line to host marquee clashes, possibly including a semifinal. "I will speak to the Board. They are also new members. I wish them all the best. I'm sure Eden will host important matches," he added.

Longer-term, Ganguly announced plans to restore Eden Gardens' seating capacity to one lakh, a project he said would be taken up after the global event. The iconic venue, once able to hold more than a lakh spectators, currently accommodates 68,000 following renovations ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

If realised, Eden would become the second-largest stadium in India after Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. "Whatever happens, it will be after the T20 World Cup next year. The lease has been renewed," Ganguly confirmed.

Beyond Eden, the former left-hander outlined broader goals: strengthening Bengal's first-class cricket and launching a state-of-the-art academy at Dumurjala in Howrah. "It would be like the Kalyani Academy but with floodlights and modern facilities. The plan has been sanctioned, it will take at least a year to complete," he said.

The CAB has also decided to expand its Vision 2020 programme to 2036, in line with India's Olympic aspirations, and increased development funds for state and district units from Tk 5 crore to Tk 8 crore.

Ganguly will lead a new panel, elected unopposed, comprising Bablu Kolay (secretary), Madan Mohan Ghosh (joint secretary), Sanjay Das (treasurer) and Anu Dutta (vice-president).