"I've Played 500 Matches, Can Speak To Kohli Or Iyer": Sourav Ganguly On Conflict Of Interest Row

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has sparked the conflict of interest controversy due to multiple reasons including his association with a fantasy Dream 11 brand. Ganguly recently was in the thick of things after Shreyas Iyer admitted that the former Delhi Capitals mentor has been guiding him.

“We would have bowled first as well. I have learned to take some responsibility, with the likes of Ponting and Ganguly, it makes my task a bit easier,” Iyer had told commentator Doull during an IPL 2020 match. His comments caused major furore across the social media with the media fraternity questioning their concerns related to ‘conflict of issue’.

Ganguly, however, clarified the issue and said that he helped Iyer last year. The board president also clarified that he has played nearly 500 matches for the national team and thus can help any youngster.

“I had helped him (Iyer) last year. I may be the Board president, but don’t forget that I’ve played 500 matches (424 matches) for India, so I can speak to a young player and help him, be it Shreyas Iyer or Virat Kohli. If they want help, I can,” Ganguly said during a promotional event.

Earlier, the conflict of interest issue came to the fore against Ganguly for his dual role as the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and mentor of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. He had then stepped down from the role of Delhi Capitals head coach.

Ganguly is currently serving as the president of the cricket board. His term extension, due to the Covid-19 situation, is however hanging in the Supreme Court as he had to take a mandatory cooling off break.