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NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again expressed her unwavering support for former India captain Sourav Ganguly, insisting that he should have been the International Cricket Council (ICC) president by now.

Speaking at the felicitation of World Cup winner Richa Ghosh at Eden Gardens on Saturday, she issued a veiled warning in her characteristic style: "it's not that easy to stop him."

Remembering Ganguly’s Legacy

“We always wanted Ganguly to remain India's captain for a long time,” Mamata said, before adding, “There’s one more thing I must say — Ganguly might feel bad if I say this, but I'm a little outspoken and always speak the unpleasant truth; I've never been able to change that."

Highlighting the former captain's contributions off the field, she remarked, “Who was supposed to be the ICC president today? None other than Sourav Ganguly. He may not have become one now, but I strongly believe that one day he definitely will."

The ICC Chairmanship Controversy

Currently, the ICC chair is held by Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who became the youngest-ever ICC chairman in December 2024 following a four-year tenure as BCCI secretary. Shah’s elevation came two years after Ganguly was replaced as BCCI president by Roger Binny in October 2022, ending his three-year administrative stint.

During Ganguly and Shah’s overlapping period at the BCCI from October 2019 to September 2022, Ganguly’s term was widely seen as stable yet politically challenging. Reports suggested that internal Board dynamics and government influence may have played a role in Ganguly’s exit, though both maintained cordial public relations.

Mamata’s Earlier Intervention

Mamata Banerjee has consistently backed Ganguly’s administrative ambitions. In October 2022, shortly after he was removed from the BCCI presidency, she urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let Ganguly contest elections for the ICC post. She had also questioned why "Amit Babu's (Amit Shah's) son has been retained in the BCCI" while Ganguly was denied a second term.

Ganguly: From Captain to Administrator

One of India’s most iconic cricket captains, Ganguly took charge of the national team in 2000 in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal, leading India to a new era of competitiveness and self-belief. He captained India in 49 Tests, winning 21, and in 147 ODIs, guiding the team to 76 victories.

After retiring in 2008, Ganguly transitioned into cricket administration. He became president of the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2015 and officially took over as BCCI president on October 23, 2019. Stepping down from national administration, he returned to the CAB presidency in September 2025, marking a homecoming to his cricketing roots.

(With PTI Inputs)