Sourav bounces, Dalmiya ducks

KOLKATA: It was an AGM that the CAB officials will not forget in a hurry. Never before in the CAB���s chequered history had the president been forced to field so many uncomfortable questions. Sourav Ganguly, on Friday, made his debut as an administrator in style ��� hurling one bouncer after another that had Jagmohan Dalmiya ducking for cover.
For one, he asked Dalmiya why national selector from East Zone, Raja Venkat, did not figure in the CAB selection committee.The veteran administrator���s explanation, that the omission was because the Bengal selection committee had been constituted before the BCCI appointed Venkat and accommodating him would have meant discarding someone from the panel, did not impress Sourav.
He wanted to know whether a national player, when he returns from international duty, is made 12th man in the state team. Dalmiya had no reply.
Next, Sourav wanted to know why the CAB had removed last year���s coach Utpal Chatterjee when he had guided Bengal back into the Elite group of Ranji Trophy. Dalmiya pointed out that Utpal���s contract was for one year.
Sourav countered by asking whether the CAB had extended the courtesy of thanking Utpal for a job well done and informing him about his position before appointing Roger Binny in his place. Dalmiya had no answer. It didn���t stop Sourav from wondering aloud about the CAB���s fascination for outstation coaches.
Having put the CAB mandarins on the back foot, Sourav proceeded to read out innumerable suggestions to improve Bengal cricket and the house heard him with rapt attention. Sensing more trouble, Dalmiya offered to discuss these issues later.
Having made his point, Sourav left the BC Roy Club House, having earned the admiration of his friends as well as foes.
"It was an altogether different but wonderful experience. We spoke at length about Bengal cricket. It���s about time we chalked out a roadmap for Bengal cricket," he said.