Sri Lanka cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has backed Sourav Ganguly for the ICC chairman’s post, saying the BCCI president’s “astute cricket brain” and vast experience as an administrator make him a “very suitable” candidate for the role.
Admitting that he’s an enormous fan of Ganguly, Sangakkara said the previous India captain has a world mindset which is important to stay unbiased in a crucial position.
“I think Sourav definitely can make that change. quite big fan of Dada not simply because of his stature as a cricketer but i feel he features a very astute cricket brain,” Sangakkara, who is currently the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Chairman, told ‘India Today’.
“He has the simplest interests of the sport at bottom which shouldn’t change simply because you’re the BCCI president or the ECB or SLC or the other cricket board once you are at the ICC.
“Your mindset should be truly international and not just constrained by partisanship in terms of where I come from — am I Indian, Sri Lankan or Australia or English but really understand ‘yes i’m a cricketer and what i’m doing is what’s best for all cricketing countries’.”
The former Sri Lanka skipper said Ganguly has the potential to create relationships, which is significant for the influential position in cricket’s administration .
“I have seen his work even before he took over because the BCCI president, even before administration and training , and the way he has built relationships with players round the world, his standing within the MCC cricket committee,” he added.
Former BCCI chief Shashank Manohar stepped down because the ICC Chairman earlier this month. Hong Kong’s Imran Khwaja, Manohar’s deputy within the ICC, has been given interim charge till the time elections aren’t conducted for the post.
Sangakkara isn’t the sole former international skipper to possess vouched for Ganguly.
Former South Africa captain and Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) director of cricket, Graeme Smith had also supported Ganguly for the role.Ganguly, on his part, recently stated that he’s in no hurry to require up the ICC role.