Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday began his new innings as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president with a pledge to make Eden Gardens the best place within three months time.
"I've seen almost every cricket venue around the world. I know what exists there. I can guarantee you that within next three months Eden Gardens will have the same facilities as anywhere else in the world. We are going to do everything possible to make this ground the best place to play cricket," Ganguly told a news conference after he was unanimously elected president of the CAB.
"For me, it's about having the best whoever it maybe. You be here if you deliver. More than anybody, the association's image, respect and prestige is at stake. It's not above anyone, whether it's Ganguly, Avishek Dalmiya or X, Y, Z," he said.
The iconic venue, which is slated to host the World Twenty20 within six months time, has come under criticism after the India-South Africa T20I October 8 was called off without a ball being bowled because of wet outfield.
BCCI's chairman of the ground and pitches committee Daljit Singh will be here Saturday and Ganguly hinted at overhaul remodelling ahead of next year's World Twenty20 final.
"Every infrastructure needs re-modelling. Not just in cricket but in office, business enterprises, everywhere and this association as well. We will try and do the best possible things. I have been around the world for 20 years," he said.
Ganguly said everywhere around the world the rain affects matches and remembered India's series win against England after rain interruption at the Lord's in 2007.
"You must also understand that with rain games get called off. It happens in every cricket venue around the world. I remember on day five of a Test when England were almost winning at Lord's, not a single ball was bowled and we saved the match and went to win the series.
It's unfortunate. At the same time, we've to get this ground up to the best possible level we can. It's a bit of both. That's where we're here for. That's why we're elected," he asserted.
Eden's groundsmen had more than six hours to prepare the ground but all their effort had failed and veteran curator Prabir Mukherjee was blamed for the fiasco and he's since then stopped coming.
Similar scenes were witnessed on Thursday during Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan, as the ground without any curator at the moment, was poorly managed and water spilled onto the ground leaving a question mark over the next day's proceedings.
The Eden's soil structure with its proximity is often blamed as well as the drainage system. Ganguly said he would speak to Mukherjee and sort out the issue.
"I don't know why he's not coming. It's very hard to control him, when he's coming and not coming. I will speak to Prabirda. I did not have a post (October 5-15) earlier. In any case Sujanda (Mukherjee) is involved with the association. He runs the Kalyani Cricket Academy. With Prabirda's absence we had to bring someone," Ganguly said.
