Former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara has backed Sourav Ganguly to for the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said that the Sourav Ganguly has an “astute cricket brain” and is someone who wishes for the best interest of the game.
Speaking in the ‘Inspiration’ show on India Today, Kumar Sangakkara said, “I think Sourav definitely can make that change. Quite a big fan of Dada, not just because of his stature as a cricketer, but I think he has a very astute cricket brain.”
“He has the best interests of the game at heart and that should not change just because you are the BCCI president or the ECB or SLC or any other cricket board when you are at the ICC,” he added.
Sangakkara also said that the Ganguly has the potential to build relationships, which is an important part of the influential position in cricket’s governing body.
“Your mindset should be truly international and not just constrained by partisanship in terms of where I come from; am I Indian, Sri Lankan or Australia or English but really understand, yes I am a cricketer and what I am doing is what is best for all cricketing countries,” Kumar Sangakkara said.
“Most importantly, the foundation of this game is children, fans and spectators around the world. I think Sourav can do that very, very well. I have seen his work even before he took over as the BCCI president, even before administration and coaching, and how he has built relationships with players around the world, his standing in the MCC cricket committee. I have no doubt that Sourav will be a very, very suitable candidate to do just that,” Kumar Sangakkara asserted.
Though there is no official announcement from the ICC or Ganguly himself that he is running for the post of the ICC Chairman, speculations are made way before Shashank Manohar stepped down as the ICC Chairman earlier this month.
