The IPL play-offs have moved out of Kolkata despite all efforts by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). And understandably, there is a sense of dejection all round. While some say that that CAB will be compensated with a possible semi-final during the 2026 T20 World Cup, no match can currently replace the stature of an IPL final, which would have come to Kolkata after 10 long years. And that’s where the next chapter of the story begins. The match, or rather no match, is now an election issue. Not since Jagmohan Dalmiya versus Prasun Mukherjee have we seen the CAB as polarised or as divided. It is now an open election polarisation, between Snehasish and Sourav Ganguly, and Avishek Dalmiya.
Come to think of it, it appears strange. I remember the day when Sourav had hand-held Avishek after the demise of Jagmohan Dalmiya, and got him into CAB thanks to the intervention of CM Mamata Banerjee. The families have always been close, and Avishek was considered Sourav’s protégé of sorts. Now, no more. Ask anyone in the ruling dispensation, and the disappointment is palpable. “You have a member in the IPL GC. Why would he not speak out for the Association?” is the question being asked. Avishek, who was in London till a couple of days ago, was there in time for the IPL GC meeting and many in the CAB felt that he would lobby hard for the games to not be moved out of Kolkata. That they have been will now become a major election debate. Who was responsible, and how? Why was nothing done to convince the BCCI?
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While the ruling dispensation argues that they had sent every possible paper in support – including weather-office letters claiming that it is impossible to predict weather three weeks in advance – and had even followed it up with the Met department in Delhi, the opposing faction will train their guns on Snehasish and his team saying that they were unable to keep the matches in Kolkata.
Where does Sourav stand in all of this? He is on record as saying he was in touch with the BCCI to try and stop the games from being moved. How does he see the developments, as former president of both the BCCI and the CAB? Will there be an election after all, or will there be some sort of compromise? What role will the political establishment play? It is well known that thenCAB or BCCI elections are won or lost with political support, and there’s every reason to believe it will be no different this time round.
Whichever way we look at it, the moving of IPL games isn’t an end in itself. Rather, this will see the opening of a Pandora’s box, and plenty will happen in the coming weeks. Neither Snehasish nor Avishek has openly said anything yet, and it will be interesting to see their respective versions of events in the coming days. With the Mohun Bagan election already making headlines, and the slugfest between Debasis Datta and Srinjoy Bose intensifying into an all-out war of sorts, the CAB elections will add further meat to the Bengal sports drama. The IPL will soon be over, but this story will continue. Who is to blame, and why? The jury is divided.
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