By In a rare and candid revelation, former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has finally opened up about his professional relationship with Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary. After months of speculation surrounding the dynamics between the two high-profile cricket administrators, Ganguly’s comments have shed light on his vision, intentions, and the challenges he faced during his tenure.
A Vision Beyond Tradition
Sourav Ganguly, widely regarded as one of India’s most iconic cricket captains, entered cricket administration with a clear mission: to modernize Indian cricket, bring more transparency to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and create a system that puts players and fans first.
“When I took up the role, I had a very specific vision,” Ganguly said during a recent interview. “I wanted to bring change — real, measurable change — not just stay in a ceremonial role.”
Working With Jay Shah: The Inside Dynamics
Ganguly acknowledged that working with Jay Shah had its moments of alignment, but also hinted at creative differences. “We had a working partnership, and I respect Jay for his organizational abilities. But I always believed in being more proactive and pushing the envelope in terms of policy and structure,” he explained.
While he stopped short of criticizing Shah directly, Ganguly’s tone suggested that not all of his ideas were fully embraced by the establishment. “I was eager to push certain reforms that I believed would future-proof Indian cricket,” he added.
Leadership and Reforms: What Ganguly Envisioned
During his time at the helm of the BCCI, Ganguly advocated for several changes. These included strengthening domestic cricket infrastructure, improving player welfare (particularly for former cricketers), and increasing transparency in the board’s decision-making processes.
“I felt that the board needed to become more agile, especially given how fast cricket is evolving — not just in India, but globally,” Ganguly said. He also supported the idea of decentralizing power and involving more former players in key decision-making roles.
The Roadblocks to Change
When asked why many of his proposed changes didn’t materialize, Ganguly was measured in his response. “Change is not easy in an organization with a legacy as large as the BCCI. There are multiple stakeholders, and everyone has their own interests,” he said.
Sources close to the board have previously suggested that internal politics and differing leadership styles between Ganguly and Shah may have slowed progress on several initiatives.
No Regrets, Only Lessons
Despite the challenges, Ganguly said he has no regrets about his tenure. “I learned a lot. Leadership is not just about vision — it’s also about managing people, expectations, and sometimes, disappointments. I gave it my best,” he said.
He also expressed pride in the accomplishments that were achieved during his time, including the successful hosting of major international events and maintaining India cricket’s strong global presence.“Change is not easy in an organization with a legacy as large as the BCCI.
What’s Next for Ganguly?
As for the future, Ganguly remains non-committal but optimistic. “I will always be involved in cricket in some way. It’s my life. Whether it’s through commentary, mentorship, or something more structural, time will tell,” he concluded.
While he may have exited BCCI’s top leadership role, his comments suggest he isn’t done shaping the game — especially if the opportunity arises to build something from the ground up, free of internal resistance.
Final Thoughts
Sourav Ganguly’s reflections offer a rare peek behind the curtains of Indian cricket’s most powerful corridors. His partnership with Jay Shah may not have always been seamless, but it was clearly driven by ambition and purpose. As Ganguly puts it, “I wanted to do things differently — because that’s how progress happens.”
