Graeme Smith wants Sourav Ganguly to take charge as ICC chairman after Covid-19 crisis

South Africa’s Director of Cricket Graeme Smith has backed the idea of Sourav Ganguly taking charge as the next president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) as he feels cricket’s governing body needs “strong leadership” once the sports resumes after the coronavirus crisis.

Ganguly was unanimously elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in October last year but the board has already sought the Supreme Court’s approval to water down administrative reforms on tenure cap for its office-bearers.

As per the current constitution, an office-bearer who has served two three-year terms, either at the BCCI or at the state association, goes into a compulsory three-year cooling-off period.

Ganguly, who took charge on October 23, was to vacate office next year but a dilution could see him continue till 2024.

Once he’s done with the BCCI, Smith wants Ganguly to take over the ICC, which is currently under the charge of Shashank Manohar.

“It is very important to have the right person as head of the ICC. Post-Covid, cricket will need strong leadership and it is time for someone close to the modern game with leadership credentials to get into the position.

“It would be great to see a cricket man like Ganguly to get into the role of the ICC president. That will be good for the game. He understands the game, he has played at the highest level and he is respected,” Graeme Smith said.

Current chairman Manohar, who has also served as president of the BCCI, has already said that he won’t be seeking re-election once his term expires in May.

The calls for Ganguly to succeed Manohar was also backed by former England captain David Gower in a recent interview.

“He is a very, very good man and has those political skills,” Gower had said.