Ganguly in trouble, fans file complaint to BCCI

Ganguly had made it clear that he had sought permission from the Committee of Administrators (CoA) when he had accepted his role at Delhi Capitals.

New Delhi: Two cricket fans based out of West Bengal have complained to D. K. Jain, the BCCI Ombudsman and Ethics Officer, that Sourav Ganguly will be “conflicted” if he performs his role as Delhi Capitals advisor in its Indian Premier League (IPL) contest against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 12, 2019.

Ganguly had made it clear that he had sought permission from the Committee of Administrators (CoA) when he had accepted his role at Delhi Capitals. But the fans believe a case of Conflict of Interest can be made.

“I would also like to draw your kind attention that on 12th April, 2019 (inadvertently quoted 12th May, 2019, in my earlier e-mail), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Delhi Capital Match will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. KKR is the local franchisee (sic), who are closely associated with the Cricket Association of Bengal,” Seal, one of the complainants, wrote in his letter, which is in possession of PTI.

“Sir, is it practically possible — [on the] one hand CAB president is supporting the local franchisee (sic) to conduct the match administratively and [on the other hand], CAB president is sitting with the the team officials of Delhi Capitals as an advisor,” he further wrote.

While Ganguly was unavailable for a comment, a source close to the former Indian captain maintained that there is “absolutely no Conflict of Interest.”

“Sourav has taken permission from the CoA. And let me make it clear, he will be very much present in the Delhi Capitals dugout on April 12. There is no question of withdrawing when relevant permissions are in place,” he said.

‘Absolutely preposterous’

While it is still not clear whether Jain will take cognisance of the letters written by the fans, a senior BCCI official claimed the accusation was “absolutely preposterous.”

“Basically, some fans want to insinuate that Ganguly as CAB president can influence local curators during DC vs KKR match at the Eden Gardens on April 12. This is preposterous. You are questioning the integrity of one of our greatest captains. I don’t know if it’s a part of BCCI’s larger politics,” the official said.

Recently, the BCCI faced controversy as local franchises expressed their unhappiness with the work of neutral curators. “Since some of the pitches have come under scanner during this IPL, maybe [the] timing of this complaint has got something to do with it,” the official said.