Drastic changes: Ganguly compares modern cricket to the 90s

Former India captain and current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly, celebrates his 50th birthday today.

On this occasion, Ganguly opened up about the changes he witnessed from his playing days to working as an administrator.

Having made his Indian debut in 1996, Ganguly was part of India’s touring party visit to Australia in 1992, where he was paid peanuts as compared to what current cricketers rake in.

In a conversation with News18, Ganguly said, 

“Drastic changes. First Tests, then One-day, then T20 – the pattern has changed. When I started, the standard of cricket was very high, which is more or less the same as of now, but what has improved the most is the infrastructure.”

“Now it’s completely modern. I remember my first international series in 1992 (Australia); I was paid Rs 30,000 for the entire tour. Now one player is getting Rs 1 to 1.5 crores for a single tour. So, it has changed and, of course, for the better.”

Under Ganguly, BCCI made several changes that have benefited the domestic circuit, apart from successfully hosting two Indian Premier League editions mid-pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

The BCCI also signed multi-million deals for IPL media rights worth INR 48,390 crore. The left-handed batter, prior to heading India’s cricket governing body, worked as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which saw substantial changes at Eden Gardens.

After making a remarkable comeback in 2007, Ganguly announced his retirement from the game in 2008. He has since worked as a commentator before heading into the administrative side of the game in 2015.

Records as player and captain

Ganguly played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for India, scoring 7,212 and 11,363 runs, respectively.

The Prince of Calcutta led the Indian cricket team from 2000-2006. In the 146 ODIs, he won 76 and lost 65, while five matches ended in no results. He took India to their second-ever World Cup final in 2003, where Australia outplayed us completely.

In the 49 Tests under him, India won 21 and lost 13, while 15 ended in draws. Interestingly, he has 11 wins away from home, including wins in Pakistan, Australia, and England.