Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended strong support for former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly to be appointed as the next president of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Speaking at a felicitation event for World Cup winner Richa Ghosh at Eden Gardens on Saturday, Banerjee praised Ganguly’s contributions to cricket, describing him as a source of immense pride for Bengal and India. She asserted that a leader of Ganguly’s stature and capability cannot be stopped, stating that while he may not hold the position today, he will certainly become ICC president in the future.
The Chief Minister lauded Ganguly not only as a legendary cricketer but also as an individual who has served the nation and the world through his leadership. “We always wanted to see Sourav as a long-serving captain. Now I say this — who should be the ICC president? None other than Sourav Ganguly,” Banerjee declared to applause from the audience.
Banerjee’s remarks come two years after she criticized Ganguly’s removal as BCCI president in 2022, questioning the continued presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son, Jay Shah, in the cricket board. At that time, she urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to permit Ganguly to contest for the ICC post. Currently, Jay Shah serves as ICC Chairman after completing a four-year term as BCCI Secretary, succeeding Ganguly two years later.
BREAKING 🚨
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee backs former cricketer Sourav Ganguly.
She said, "He should have been the current ICC president" pic.twitter.com/Iga6AT6j5X
— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) November 8, 2025