Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has officially returned as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after a six-year break, outlining ambitious plans for Eden Gardens and Bengal cricket. At the 94th CAB annual general meeting on Monday, Ganguly was elected unopposed, reclaiming the role he previously held between 2015 and 2019. His priorities include increasing Eden Gardens’ capacity to one lakh, securing high-profile fixtures for the 2026 T20 World Cup, and strengthening Bengal’s cricketing structure.

Ganguly replaces his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, who stepped down after serving the six-year tenure cap. The 53-year-old, who also served as BCCI president (2019–2022), will now focus on preparing for India’s opening Test against South Africa in November. This fixture will mark the return of Test cricket to Eden Gardens after nearly six years, with the last being the historic pink-ball Test against Bangladesh in 2019, introduced under Ganguly’s BCCI leadership.

Excited about the challenge, Sourav  Ganguly said, “This will be a good Test match, South Africa being the world champions. Both India and South Africa are strong sides, and Eden Gardens has everything — good pitches, infrastructure, and passionate crowds. We just need to hold it properly and make sure it’s a memorable contest.”

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Beyond the immediate South Africa clash, Eden Gardens is also being considered to host major games in next year’s T20 World Cup, including a possible semifinal. Ganguly confirmed he would hold discussions with the new BCCI leadership at the upcoming AGM, where former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas is set to be elected president. At the same time, ex-India spinner Raghuram Bhat is poised to become treasurer.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: On taking over as CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) President, former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly says, “I have worked as a President for 5 years before this as well. We will do what is best. There is an immense craze for cricket in India.… pic.twitter.com/E5jLXwCHB4

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2025

One of Ganguly’s most significant projects will be Eden Gardens’ expansion. Once completed after the T20 World Cup, Kolkata’s iconic venue will reclaim its spot as one of the world’s largest stadiums, with a capacity close to one lakh, second only to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The capacity had been reduced to 68,000 ahead of the 2011 World Cup to improve spectator comfort.

Alongside stadium development, Ganguly is determined to boost Bengal cricket. He announced plans for a state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala, Howrah, spanning nine acres and featuring floodlights and modern facilities. The project, sanctioned and in motion, is expected to take 12–18 months. Ganguly also spoke about extending CAB’s Vision 2020 programme to 2036, aligning with India’s Olympic aspirations, to produce world-class cricketers who could represent India at the Games.

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In addition, CAB has increased its development fund allocation for district units from ₹5 crore to ₹8 crore. The new leadership panel, including Bablu Kolay (secretary), Madan Mohan Ghosh (joint secretary), Sanjay Das (treasurer), and Anu Dutta (vice president), was also elected unopposed.

Ganguly summed up his mission with trademark clarity: “Bengal have played two Ranji finals recently. Cricket must develop; it’s no rocket science. With the right infrastructure and vision, we will get there.”