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Sourav Ganguly-Jagmohan Dalmiya saga timeline

Ganguly and Dalmiya have seen numerous ups and downs during their cricketing journey.

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In the past, Jagmohan Dalmiya (left) did not have a good working relationship with Sourav Ganguly © IANS
In the past, Jagmohan Dalmiya (left) did not have a good working relationship with Sourav Ganguly © IANS

 

Sourav Ganguly and Jagmohan Dalmiya have seen numerous ups and downs during their cricketing journey. There are interesting parallels in their long journey and it reflects in the timeline. Nishad Pai Vaidya looks back in time to trace the partnership, which is set to take Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) forward. 

 

Sourav Ganguly, one of the most restricted figures in Indian cricket, makes his entry into administration. The former Indian captain is now the joint-secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), partnering with the veteran Jagmohan Dalmiya to take Bengal cricket forward. The two men from Kolkata go back a long way, being partners and adversaries at different points in time. It is quite interesting to look back at their history as they prepare for a new innings in tandem.

 

Let us revisit the timeline of the innings they have played together in tandem:

 

1997: Dalmiya wins the election and becomes the International Cricket Council (ICC) President. Meanwhile, Ganguly made his Test debut the previous year and marked his return to the Indian team.

 

2000: Ganguly is appointed captain of the Indian team. The same year, Dalmiya gives up the ICC Chairman’s post.

 

2001: Dalmiya becomes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president. That year, India were involved in a huge controversy during their tour to South Africa. Numerous players in Ganguly’s side were banned or fined by the match referee for various alleged offences. Dalmiya stood firm against the ICC in this case and put pressure on them.

 

2002: Another controversy broke out and Dalmiya and Ganguly found themselves in a clash. The Indian players were made to sign controversial contracts from the ICC before the Champions Trophy. Indian players refused to sign them as it had implications on their financial interests. Dalmiya tried to convince the Indian players to sign, but they didn’t. Things reached such a stage that Dalmiya even went on to say that the ICC should negotiate with the players as the BCCI couldn’t. Ultimately, the players did sign with more lenient terms.

 

2004: Dalmiya finishes term as BCCI president, but his man Ranbir Singh Mahendra is elected to the post. Ganguly continues as captain with the Indian team facing tough times.

 

2005: Sharad Pawar becomes the BCCI President as the Dalmiya faction loses. The same year, Ganguly faces a very tough phase and is axed as captain. In fact, he is also dropped from the team.

 

2006: Ganguly and Dalmiya have a first major confrontation. As the CAB elections came closer, Ganguly joined the Dalmiya’s rival faction. In fact, he had also blamed Dalmiya’s administration of “playing with his career” as IANS reports. However, Dalmiya won the election and called Ganguly a “baccha” (Hindi for kid). This happened at a time when Ganguly was out of the Indian team.

 

2007: Dalmiya resigns as CAB chief as there were allegations of misappropriating some money during the 1996 World Cup. He is later vindicated by the courts. He returned to the CAB soon after. Ganguly continued to be in form for the Indian team.

 

2014: Ganguly is elected the CAB joint-secretary and Dalmiya becomes the president again.  Dalmiya welcomes Ganguly in the new role.

 

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)

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