A letter to Dalmiya

March 05, 2015 12:37 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:15 pm IST

Dear Jaggu Da,

Greetings on your second innings as BCCI President.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and cheer.

As an old admirer of your cricket administration I am happy to see you at the right place...but, at the right time...Well, I am not too sure because I am a bit concerned about your health.

Now that you have taken the plunge, all I wish to do is wish you Godspeed and plenty of luck.

There is no doubt in my mind that the pressure before you will be different and dare I add, manifold.

BCCI’s public image has taken a beating in recent times. To restore that will take a heavy toll on your mental and physical faculties, which means you will have to be at your best 24x7.

Once again, I pray for your good health.

The BCCI today is quite a wreck with the Supreme Court breathing down on its neck. And don’t we all know why!

Your first statement from Chennai after becoming the President was reflective of your genuine concern for cricket at large...‘cleansing the game of cricket’ would be top priority, you said.

Jaggu Da, cricket was never unclean. It is the players, producers and directors that you will have to tackle. Good luck!

As I observe the new team you will lead in the BCCI, your biggest strength and ally can be Anurag Thakur, who has age and ambition on his side. I wish I could say the same about five of your vice-presidents.

Ranji & Duleep

On the cricket front, I would like you to give due importance to our premier tournaments such as Ranji and Duleep Trophy. With deep regret, I note that these competitions are losing out their sheen.

Please take it upon yourself to restore the glory of first class cricket in India.

There is a possibility that you might be distracted by this tamasha called the IPL. Kindly avoid that temptation as there will be plenty in your team who can and will gladly handle that situation.

And finally, on a more serious note, this is a great opportunity for you to clear all the blemishes against your name in the past.

Allow me to conclude by suggesting that if mind is weak, the situation becomes a problem; and if the mind is balanced, the situation becomes a challenge; and if the mind is strong the situation becomes an opportunity.

May God give you strength to own up this opportunity gladly and with courage with a capital ‘C’.

With warm regards, Bishan Singh Bedi

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