Published: Nov 11, 2014, 09:41 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 11, 2014, 10:13 PM (IST)
Kolkata: Nov 11, 2014
Legendary India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi on Tuesday said tongue-in-cheek that he found it a mystery how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), born in Delhi, was hijacked by Tamil Nadu, in what could be considered a swipe at the current board strongman and sidelined president N Srinivasan.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event here, Bedi said: “I think it is pertinent to say the BCCI was born at the Roshanara Club in Delhi. It was a historic moment. Then it flourished at the Eden Gardens. But how the BCCI got hijacked by Tamil Nadu is a mystery for me.” Srinivasan is based in Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.
The former Indian skipper, who attended a function where a postage stamp was released in celebration of the 150th year of inception of the historic Eden Gardens years, recalled that he made his Test debut December 31, 1966 against the West Indies – a match infamous for a riot at the gallery.
“I have fond memories of Eden Gardens. During my debut Test there was fire in the stands. There was a teargas charge. Players ran helter skelter. You can say that for me, it was baptism by fire,” he quipped.
Describing Eden as the most “electrifying stadium” in the world, Bedi said its roaring crowd has given the iconic stadium an aura. “It is a proud momenta nostalgic moment for me to be here. Eden can give the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) a lot to chase.”
