Did Sourav Ganguly’s presence keep Rahul Dravid away from BCCI advisory panel?

Mumbai: The newly formed BCCI advisory panel consists of the big names of Indian cricket – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

However, the absence of Rahul Dravid, who was initially reported to join Ganguly and Tendulkar in the panel that has been mandated to guide the Board and the national team on various "progressive steps" needed for future challenges, is startling.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that Dravid’s services would be sought at an appropriate time. However, according to a report in the ‘Hindustan Times’, Dravid may have kept himself away from joining the BCCI advisory panel due to Ganguly’s presence.

Read: Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly set to join BCCI's advisory panel

While the duo of Ganguly and Dravid were part of the group of cricketers that powered India to some of their outstanding victories at home and abroad, the duo had its share of disagreements.

Ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘Playing it My Way’ launch, Ganguly had said that Dravid was aware of what Greg Chappell, with whom the left-hander did not share good relationship, was up to during his stint as India coach but he "could not control" the Australian.

Read: Dravid knew it all but could not control Greg Chappell

Dravid had denied such claims then.