Biswanath Dutt: The man who brought Jagmohan Dalmiya into cricket administration

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India President Biswanath Dutt was the man behind late Jagmohan Dalmiya’s entry in Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Dutt remembers when he first met Dalmiya in early 1970s at Calcutta High Court. Dalmiya was the administrator of Rajasthan Club’s football unit and Dutt, at that time, was heading the Indian Football Association (IFA). “There was some dispute in the IFA first division league, and Dalmiya moved High Court challenging IFA’s decision. He was an outstanding speaker and he almost convinced the judge in their favour,” Dutt was quoted as saying by New Indian Express. All India Bakchod comedian Rohan Joshi admits mistake on ill-timed tweet on BCCI chief

It was in 1977, when Dutt was appointed the secretary, Dalmiya became the treasurer. “We needed someone like him, who could handle every situation. He was an extremely honest person, and most importantly, had the pluck to call a spade a spade. In spite of having a clear stand point, he could unite all forces. That’s what made him popular,” the 90-year-old said. Jagmohan Dalmiya’s demise will hamper Indo-Pak cricket ties, says Pakistan daily

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Dalmiya went on to become the BCCI treasurer in 1983. “In such a short time, Dalmiya had become immensely popular in the circuit. So, later on when he took charge as ICC president, Dalmiya was never hesitant in taking the toughest of the decisions,” Dutt said.

Talking about returning to Indian cricket board’s helm in 2014, following N Srinivasan’s ouster, Dutt, who held the post of BCCI President from 1988-90, said, “Only he could clean up the muck. After dethroning N Srinivasan, he was trying to improve things. But now, BCCI doesn’t have any experienced member who can lead the Board.”