Sourav Ganguly explains the thinking behind four-nation ODI tournament proposal

44
Image Courtesy: AFP/India TV

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently proposed the much awaited four-nation One Day International tournament, that will include Team India competing in a super ODI series against England, Australia and one more team that is yet to be decided. While The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia have shown positive reactions to the proporsal, there have been some criticism from others. Now the BCCI Prez Sourav Ganguly has made a response.

Image Courtesy: AFP/India TV

Soon after the announcement of the four nation super ODI series, Ganguly said: “It’s a proposal. Let’s see where it goes. The reason behind it is only to have a good, competitive tournament.”

“People want to see a high class tournament and we are attempting to do it.” Dada added.

Previously, the ECB had confirmed that they were in talks with BCCI regarding the tournament.

“A four-nation tournament was raised at a meeting with the BCCI in December and we are open to discussions with other ICC members to see if this concept can develop.” an ECB spokesperson had said earlier.

Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Cricket Australia had also praised Ganguly’s proposal of the super ODI series.

“I think it’s an example of the innovative thinking coming out of the BCCI with Sourav Ganguly as president,” Roberts told ESPNcricinfo.

However, some reprimanding reactions have been received by the BCCI. Rashid Latif, cricket coach and former Pakistani international believes the idea of a four nation tournament is not a good news.

“By playing such a series, these four countries want to isolate the other member nations which is not a good news. But I think this will be a flop idea like the Big Three model, which was introduced few years back” the 51 year old told reporters, reminding the cricketing world about a similar endeavour named the ‘Big Three Model’.

Back in 2014, the International Cricket Council endorsed the ‘Big Three Model’. The model proposed to give the major share of ICC’s revenue to India, England, and Australia. However, Latif believes the super ODI series will turn out to be a ‘flop’ similar to this.

However, Ganguly has come up with a response to Latif, explaining that the series will be beneficial to the fourth undecided team as well as the previous Big Three members.

“There will be a fourth team as well. We have to just fit this tournament in the gap, which is the biggest challenge. The agenda just is a high class tournament with very powerful teams put together.” The 47 year old added.

Also read-

A Study In Pink: What the Day/Night pink ball test at Eden Gardens means for Test cricket in India

BCCI fires back over PCB over ‘security’ jibe: Handle Security In Your Own Country First!