Cricket Association of Bengal AGM on 31 July, Sourav Ganguly set to retain president's chair

Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is unlikely to face much opposition at the 85th Annual General Meeting of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on 31 July as he is set to retain his president’s chair without much hiccups. While there are a few in the CAB, who are against Ganguly, but with blessings of the ruling Trinamool Congress government at the power, it is far fetched idea that anyone will like to file nomination to contest in the presidential election against India’s most charismatic captain. [caption id=“attachment_90045” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Sourav Ganguly. AFP[/caption] While there are a few who would like to challenge current joint secretary Avishek Dalmiya, who was directly nominated to executive post of the association by east Indian West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, that can also be considered a long shot. “In CAB, two weeks is a long long time. The last date of filing nomination is 23 July and any member can withdraw on the floor. So it is a very fluid situation at the moment. Even if anyone wishes to contest against Avishek, a couple of phone calls from ruling dispensation can change the picture completely. So no one should speculate anything right now,” a senior CAB official told PTI on Saturday. Ganguly’s tenure has witnessed CAB hosting two marquee matches in World T20 – India versus Pakistan and the final. The association also made huge profits for the first time. The former Indian captain was also instrumental in hosting country’s first ever pink ball day-night multiday match, which has also earned him a lot of praise. Treasurer Biswarup Dey, who is seen as the face of opposition but the lawyer turned cricket administrator chose to be diplomatic. “Let me be very clear, I’m not an opposition. CAB is a team and they will decide whether there would be any election,” Dey told reporters. The annual awards will be held on 22 July.